Joy Bringer

I think these days a lot of us are on a quest to find joy amidst the chaos. Finding joy can be difficult sometimes, can't it? When you lost your job. When you're forced out of your home because of a fire. When you get a not-so-great report from the doctor. When your business isn't growing as quickly as you'd like. When the streets are filled with litter. When someone else ate the last cookie. I mean its hard to find joy in those circumstances, right?

I was thinking about finding joy when I realized that bringing joy is more important than finding it. I've noticed that in those times when joy seemed to elude me, I was able to find it by focusing outward instead of focusing inward. Have you ever noticed that? Serving others and finding ways to bless people always seems to end up with us being blessed.

Every morning, Benjamin Franklin began his day by asking himself a question. "What good shall I do this day?" I think that's a question that we all should be starting our day with. Can you imagine the impact that would have? Can you imagine the difference that would be made? When I was younger, my mama always said that I had a choice: I could be part of the problem or I could be part of the solution. Those words stick with me still today. When I look around and see darkness, I can choose to be the light. I can show up for people who need me. I can clean up litter. I can mentor a business colleague. I can bake a new batch of cookies. I don't want to simply be a joy seeker. I want to be a joy bringer, too.

Since I mentioned cookies, I am going to share one of my favorite cookie recipes with you. As a bonus, this recipe makes a ton of cookies so you'll have plenty to share. See? You're already bringing joy all over the place!

Cowboy Cookies

Ingredients

• 3 c flour

• 1 tbsp baking powder

• 1 tbsp baking soda

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• 1 tsp salt

• 3 sticks butter, at room temperature

• 1 1/2 c white sugar

• 1 1/2 c packed light brown sugar

• 3 eggs

• 1 tbsp vanilla

• 3 c semi-sweet chocolate chips

• 3 c old fashioned rolled oats

• 2 c sweetened coconut flakes

• 2 c chopped pecans (optional)

Steps

Preheat oven to 350.

Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt together in a bowl.

In a large bowl, beat butter on medium speed until smooth and creamy, about 1 minute. Gradually beat in sugars and continue beating to combine, about 2 minutes.

Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating after each. Beat in vanilla.

Stir in flour mixture until just combined.

Add chocolate chips, oats, coconut and pecans.

To make large cookies, drop 1/4 c of dough onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 17-20 minutes.

To make smaller cookies, drop 1 tbsp of dough onto the cookie sheet and bake for 11-13 minutes.

So, friend, what good shall you do this day? I know you and you're pretty awesome. You can definitely be a joy bringer to someone today. Go ahead and give it a try. I bet you'll rock it.