One Step Plan




	We human beings certainly are fond of steps. I noticed this especially the other day when I was browsing at a local book store. As I passed by the self-help section I noticed that almost every book had steps in the title. There were books with steps for success, for making money, for dieting, for improving your marriage, for raising children, and for invigorating your love life. Now I haven't read any of these best sellers, so I am not sure if they work or not. It just seems strange to me that we human beings have to make everything such hard work.
	After all, what is harder than climbing up a flight of steps except maybe climbing them while carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders. I know too many people, however, who insist that those steps be climbed and that weight be carried. They refuse to believe that a good life can be fun, that happiness can be easy, and that joy and love can be simply chosen. They don't believe that God could love us enough to give us these things as free gifts.

	All these things they believe must be earned through hard work, discipline, sacrifice and climbing the steps of adversity. If they do allow themselves one moment of joy it is only after earning it with months of misery. For all of these people then I offer my one step plan to joy, love, peace, and happiness. It is easy to implement, requires no special equipment, and can be done any time. It is simple to remember and even more simple to do. You just choose these things right now. Choose them in your mind, heart, and soul. Choose them this very second and they are yours. They remain yours too for as long as you keep choosing them. They are God's gifts to us His Children.
	These people, of course, won't follow my plan. It is too simple, too easy, and doesn't have enough steps. I hope that you do, however, and make your life a living testament to joy.
	Joseph J. Mazzella