Step right up

Ever since I was a little kid, I’ve been told to “watch my step” … and so I have in many contexts:

When somewhat lethargic I’ve been urged to “step “lively,” and when I’ve been in the way I’ve been pushed and ordered to “step aside.” When I’ve messed up, I’ve tried to correct my misstep, and when I’ve really messed up I’ve been known to ac-knowledge that “this time, I’ve really stepped in it!”

I’ve had buddies who have participated in 12-step programs, and, as a “slow” driver (I prefer to be “prudent”) my passengers will frequently suggest (actually yell) that I should “step on it.”

Over the years I’ve seen disgraced politicians step down, and disgraceful ones sidestep important issues. I’ve witnessed “one giant step for mankind” and babies take their first steps. I’ve enjoyed “stepping out with my baby,” dancing the “two-step” and have watched Mary Poppins “step in time” and quick-footed infielders “step on the bag.”

I’ve endured the bully’s challenge to “step outside,” sympathized with Cinderella’s being mistreated by her wicked step-sisters and tried to reach new heights by using a step-ladder.

Indeed, while watching my step, I’ve seen progress achieved incrementally “step-by-step,” been careful not to ever step out of line or step on anyone’s toes and tried to confront the bad guys who think they have to step on everyone and use everyone as a stepping stone.

Whether it’s parents, teachers, friends, enemies, police, ushers or signs above thresholds or next to stairways, you apparently can’t go through life without someone admonishing you to “watch your step.” Yet, though told countless times to watch my step, I’ve never been told to … count them.

That is until this week when I was presented with a pedometer that measures my stride and counts my every step.

It’s part of a health regimen that promises that if you’ll walk 10,000 steps a day, you’ll not only never get sick, you’ll live forever (and at the end of the 10 years wind up in New Mexico.)

I’m off to a great start: counting (get it? “counting”) my walks to and from the car; back and forth to the bathroom, planned hikes to the dining room, spontaneous jaunts to the fridge and treks to the bakery. I’ve tallied 1,277, I mean 1,288, I mean 1,289 steps. (I just took two steps to pick up my pencil.)

While the numbers are not that great, counting my steps has made me conscious of where I’m going and what’s involved in getting there.

I’ve also come to realize that watching your step makes you cautious and thoughtful: counting your steps teaches you to make every action, every gesture, every movement and every step count, and that whether you watch or count, you should always strive to step into the breach, step forward and step up, and thus lead a life that’s always a step in the right direction and a step ahead of the pack.

Copyright 2009 Ron Goldman is an attorney in private practice with offices in Cedarhurst and can be reached @ 1-800-846-9013.