It's Friday - Let's Celebrate With Chocolate!

Sue Ann Cordell preparing Triple Chocolate Fudge Cake

Congratulations, you made it through another week!

I hope you were able to complete all the things on your "to do" list, and you're all geared up for a great weekend.

If this has been a week where the circumstances around you have taken your joy away, I want to encourage you to stop your world for a few minutes, and refocus.

Life can be hard, but you can still have joy. Even if it hasn't been your best week, you can find reasons to celebrate - even in the hard times!

It's time to dust off the Joy Journal or start one for the first time today.

Here's how it works: Throughout the day, list things that give you joy. At the end of the day, reflect on the blessings listed and enter them into your journal.

If you're having trouble getting started, here are a few examples:

• In spite of my mistakes, God still loves me.

• I have a roof over my head.

• I received a shout out from my boss in a meeting today.

• I got to bless a person in need with a gift card to buy a few groceries for their family.

I've discovered that the world really is full of good people. You just have to take time to notice. I've also found that if I am nice to people, most people will be nice to me.

As you go about your daily routine, make a mental note of the smiles, greetings, and acts of kindness others give to you. That's something to celebrate and list in your Joy Journal.

Once you get started, you'll find the blessings just keep coming to mind. I have found that good things usually far outweigh any difficulties I may have faced.

Before you go to sleep, look at your list, and thank God for the good things in your life.

For all the chocolate lovers out there, try this:

As you celebrate life, take time this weekend to enjoy a piece of my favorite triple chocolate fudge cake (recipe below), served warm with vanilla ice cream and chocolate syrup on top.

Remember that every good and perfect gift comes from God. That's right, even chocolate!

T O D A Y ' S R E C I P E

Triple Chocolate Fudge Cake

Prepare a 3.4 ounce package of chocolate pudding mix (cooked type) as directed on package.

Blend chocolate cake mix (dry mix) into hot pudding.

Pour ingredients into greased and floured 13x9 inch pan.

Sprinkle with 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate pieces and 1/2 cup chopped nuts.

Bake 30-35 minutes as 350 degrees.

from: Simplify, A Life Anchored in Purpose, by Sue Ann Cordell

Thought for the day - Life is short so don't miss out on the good things - ask God to show you things worth celebrating today.

Have A Great Day!

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Thank you!