The poet e. e. cummings commented, “The most wasted of all days is a day without laughter.” The actor and comedian Charlie Chaplin said, “Laughter is the tonic, the relief, the surcease for pain.” And the writer Stephen King wrote, “You can’t deny laughter, when it comes. it plops down in your favorite chair and stays as long as it wants.”
All three are pointing to the importance and power of laughter. Though there are certainly some serious folks in the world, most people know that laughter is a good thing. But do we know how really good it is? Our theme this month is the effect of laughter on health, and you may find yourself surprised at how really good it is
for you.
We begin with an essay that walks the fine line between humor and serious reflection. Then there is a list of things you can do to increase the laughter in your life. You will find a PDF on "laughter yoga," which you may find a bit far out for your taste, but take a look at it because people around the world have become
serious about laughter. According to one website, there are more than
1600 Laughter Yoga Clubs around the world.
We also want to be sure you know that this is Open Enrollment month for insurance. Please take time to think about the coverage you need; in this issue you’ll find information on four of the special products offered by BBT.
Of course, don’t miss the humor section since we are emphasizing the importance of laughter for your good health. And see how you do with our November brainteasers.
We hope this issue brings a smile and makes you laugh. And may you find laughter and joy this fall as we enter into the holiday season.
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Don't miss your chance!
Take advantage of open enrollment
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Are you a client of Brethren Insurance services? You need to know that open enrollment is happening now.
Open Enrollment is the time each year when you should review your insurance coverage to see if you have everything you need, and use this time to make changes and add coverages. For Brethren Insurance Services, open enrollment is from Nov. 1 to Nov.
30
. Enrollment forms must be received or postmarked no later than
Nov. 30.
Because payroll deductions for many insurance premiums are tax-free, open enrollment is governed by IRS rules, which allow for changes only during this designated period.
Do you have enough life insurance? Has a “life” event happened in the past year — marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, the purchase of a house? Does your employer offer the Brethren medical plan with its multiple benefits? Ask about it.
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Bears and religion - where to start?
The healing power of laughter
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For twenty years a man was stranded alone on a desert island. A navy ship finally spotted him. The captain came ashore and noticed three huts.
“What are they used for?” the captain asked.
“Well, the one on the left is where I live,” said the man. “and the one on the right is where I go to church.”
“So, what about that hut in the middle?”
The man replied sadly, “That’s the church I used to attend!”
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20 things you can do
to help yourself laugh
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The best laughter is spontaneous, coming as a gift, often unexpected. It bubbles up, lifts your spirit, and lightens your burdens. But how can you make an effort to bring this kind of laughter into your life? Well, in fact, there is some research indicating that intentional laughter, which may seem like fake laughter, can have the same positive effects as spontaneous laughter. So, here are some things you can do to increase your inclination to laugh. Take these with a grain of salt. Just remember that if you want to laugh more, there are things you can do to help yourself.
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Please click on the image below to view PDF.
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For your long-term care needs
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Brethren Insurance Services offers Long-Term Care Insurance all through the year.
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If you're interested in purchasing coverage, you should know that eligibility for benefits is determined by the inability to meet at least two of these six activities of daily living
—
bathing, eating, dressing, toileting, continence, or transferring. Cognitive impairment can also trigger benefits.
It's difficult to think about the fact that a debilitating condition or a disabling injury might leave you unable to care for yourself, or that when you reach your twilight years, the time will come when you will need some extra care. Long-term care insurance makes sure that you will get the care you need. It helps assure that the cost of your custodial care will not eat up your savings. Finally, and this is one of the best things about LTCI, it can help protect your children and other relatives from having to use their resources to care for you.
Brethren Insurance Services offers Long-Term Care Insurance for all members and employees of the Church of the Brethren and their family and friends; and also for employees of Church of the Brethren-affiliated agencies, organizations, colleges, and retirement communities and their families and friends.
If you are interested in obtaining this coverage, contact Brethren Insurance Services at
insurance@cobbt.org
or 800-746-1505 for a free, no-obligation proposal.
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Church of the Brethren Insurance Services provides the following products - dental, vision, basic life and accidental death & dismemberment, supplemental life and AD&D, dependent life and AD&D, long-term disability, short-term disability, accident insurance, and Medicare supplement for eligible Church of the Brethren employees.
Dental, vision, and Medicare supplement coverage may also be available for eligible retired Church of the Brethren employees.
For eligibility information, call Connie Sandman at 800-746-1505, ext. 3366, or contact your human resources representative.
Medical and ancillary plans (named above) may be available to Brethren-affiliated employer groups.
Long-Term Care Insurance is available for all members of the Church of the Brethren, their family and friends, and employees of Church of the Brethren-affiliated agencies, organizations, colleges, and retirement communities.
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A not-for-profit ministry of
Church of the Brethren Benefit Trust Inc.
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Contact Us
1505 Dundee Ave
Elgin, IL 60120
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