So, what does the bible say about laughter? Laughing is an amazing gift from God. It helps you cope with sadness and everyday life. Laughter is powerful medicine too! It has been proven to lower blood pressure and reduce stress hormones.

Click HERE to read more about the health benefits of laughter.

Click HERE to see a list of bible verses that tell us about God’s plan for laughter in our lives.

So the bible shows us that laughter was part of God’s plan for a healthy life. We know that is will help us physically, emotionally and spiritually. So LAUGH TODAY!

For today’s Morning Thing Fave 5, Marcy picked her 5 favorite comedians. Click on their name and watch a short clip from one of their routines. LOL!! HA!! 🙂

Chonda Pierce

Anita Renfroe

Michael Jr.

Brad Stine

Brian Regan (not faith-based comedian)

Are you dating your spouse? Yes? No? 
Today, The Morning Thing talked about why dating your spouse is SO important.
Click HERE for 3 reasons why dating in marriage is vital.

Men, God’s word calls you to love your wife as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her (Ephesians 5:25). Click HERE for 6 ways that you can lead with love and date your wife.

Ladies, you know dating your spouse is good for your marriage. But in the midst of raising kids and balancing commitments, have you put dating on the back burner? It’s time to save the date! Do something fun together, just the two of you. Click HERE to find out about Focus on the Family’s Date Night Challenge.

Need some great date night ideas? Click HERE for ideas that have been tested by couples from all over the U.S.

Now, go get your calendars and get your next date scheduled!

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day commemorates the dedication of RDNs as advocates for advancing the nutritional status of Americans and people around the world. The Morning Thing salutes you today! Click HERE to find out more about these special professionals.

In honor of dietitians, we shared some answers to common dietary dilemmas – some of us are facing these issues. Click HERE to see Nutrition Decoded – answers to your diet dilemmas.

We also found a list of the 50 healthiest foods on the planet. Click HERE to see the list.
You CAN eat to a better health!

It’s International Women’s Day! Today we celebrate women and the social, political, and economic impact they have had in society. Today we think about influential women like Marie Curie, Aretha Franklin, and so many more! Also, be sure to think of influential women in your own life today.

Also on The Morning Thing we talked about foods that can help you fight the flu. Even though temperatures are rising, it is still flu season! Be on your guard against sickness in these spring months. You can read more about those flu fighters here.

It is National Cereal Day!
Did you know??
– Of the more than 314 million people in the U.S., 49 per cent start their day with a bowl of cereal.
– Astronauts from Apollo 11 boosted their brain power while in space with a cereal breakfast. The cereal was mixed with fruit and pressed into cubes since the lack of gravity kept the astronauts from pouring it into a bowl with milk.
– There are 2.7 billion boxes — enough to wrap around the earth thirteen times — of cereal sold every year.
Click HERE to find more interesting facts about cereal.
If you post or tweet about cereal today, please use #CerealDay #NationalCerealDay

We also talked about your smart phone battery this morning. Click HERE for 5 easy steps on how to make your phone battery last longer.

The Morning Thing also shared an update on business.
QVC and The Today Show have partnered together to find the “Next Big Thing”. They are looking for creative inventions. Finalists will be selected to come pitch their product live on TODAY during the week of April 18 to a panel of judges, then viewers will get to vote for their favorite. The three products with the highest votes in their categories will return to TODAY, where the panel of judges will select a winner. The winning inventor will get to sell his or her product on QVC on April 23. Click HERE for more details.

Fast food chain Chick-fil-A is encouraging customers to ditch their smartphones during dinner, even placing boxes called “cell phone coops” on the tables at some of its locations. The point is to get people to talk to each other instead of texting or scrolling through social media. Click HERE for more details and how you can get ice cream if you are successful with the challenge!

Target is spreading the news of the #NOFOMO campaign, which has women sharing their swimsuit selfies online, as part of an effort to encourage body positivity. The company said the campaign is “all about shaking off body insecurities and not letting anything get in the way of having fun in our swimsuits.” Click HERE for more details.

Today (3/4/16) is National Employee Appreciation Day.
For our weekly Fave 5, The Morning Thing crew decided to share our 5 favorite ways to show appreciation to employees.

1. A simple thing to do, but often forgotten – say THANK YOU! A hand-written note means more than an email, so take the time to write down specifically how the employee helped you and the business or organization.

2. Have a team celebration! If the team did a good job, reward them with a party. Have food, casual dress day, close the office and celebrate the success!

3. Tell others about your fabulous employees. Your workers will feel appreciated if you get caught telling others about their outstanding work performance.

4. Create an award for outstanding behavior – maybe the employee of the week, month or year. Be sure to include specific details of “why” the employee is being honored.

5. Create a culture of encouragement. Employees will respond to positive reinforcement. Employees who are recognized for their efforts will continue to work hard and encourage co-workers to do so too. Praise achievement and encourage others to pursue their goals.

Click HERE for more information about National Employee Appreciation Day.

(Picture courtesy of www.nationaldaycalendar.com)

The Morning Thing talked with Dr. Henry Spaulding, MVNU’s President today. He shared the March MVNU Update. Click HERE to hear our conversation.
Dr. Spaulding talks about the change to MVNU’s calendar with a 2 week spring break. He also gives us the latest update on the Mount Vernon Grand Hotel and tells us about MVNU’s new major (Communication Sciences and Disorders).

Today, The Morning Thing also had the chance to introduce you to the local band, Taming Lions. They will be hosting a free concert on Saturday 3/5 at the Alcove Restaurant. The concert starts at 6pm. The Alcove is located at 116 South Main Street in downtown Mount Vernon. Click HERE to hear our conversation about how the band got started, the music they love to perform and the passion behind their ministry. Click HERE for more information about Taming Lions.

The Morning Thing had a chance to talk with Kevin Downes, Producer on the movie Woodlawn.
Click HERE to hear the conversation.
Woodlawn takes us to 1973 and follows the story of government-mandated desegregation. Tony Nathan (Caleb Castille) joins fellow African-American students at Woodlawn High School in Birmingham, Ala. As violence and anger erupt in the city, Woodlawn football coach Tandy Gerelds (Nic Bishop) allows an outsider (Sean Astin) to speak to his players. His message of hope and love leads to a spiritual awakening that inspires star athlete Nathan, his teammates and other members of the community to overcome the hate that surrounds them.

Woodlawn is now on Blu-ray and DVD. Click HERE to see a trailer and find out more about the movie.

Is limiting screen time for your kids working? Or backfiring?
This morning, we took a look at a struggle all parents have in 2016.

Click HERE for a different view on the technology discussion. Zina Harrington shares why her family doesn’t limit screen time for the kids.

Zina argues that we need to teach our kids self-moderation and balance, with a bit of flexibility thrown in.

Today on The Morning  Thing we talked about overthinking and over-analyzing situations that we cannot change. We worry too much about other people’s opinions when we should be focused on God and His plans for us. The Bible repeatedly tells us to not to worry, to let go and let God. If you find yourself anxious and overthinking turn to God’s Word. Check out this link for 10 scriptures to help you find peace in God.

Plus we had the opportunity to talk with Dr. Brad Whitaker about the new Center for Student Success located on the first floor of the MVNU’s Thorne Library. He talks about the new services that are offered to students, how the community can benefit from the center and the future plans for CSS. To listen to our whole conversation click HERE!