Every Step We Take

“Every breath you take, every move you make, every bond you break, every step you take - I'll be watching you.” (TP)

Are we on track?

There are many titles credited to our generation. The information age. The technology age. The age of convenience. Perhaps, the reason why we have earned so many titles is due to the fact that we live in such a busy age. In a world so absorbed in multi-tasking, we must pause for a moment to acknowledge that there are so many powerful and meaningful lessons to be learned from this generation, and in particular to our fascination and dependency on technology.

I, like most right-handed people, wear my watch on my left wrist. Yet, we would not want to make the right wrist jealous. In our age of technology, we have solved this dilemma with the creation of something called a personal activity tracker. With a little rubber, plastic and a few flashing lights, these trackers are worn day and night, even more than the watch on the other wrist. While wearing these trackers, every step we take and each move we make is recorded. With its corresponding app on our smartphones, we can monitor our steps, calories burned, stairs climbed and even use it to personalize a diet and workout program. Most trackers will now even tell us how well we slept. By wearing such trackers, we would reportedly be motivated and stimulated to become and remain more active throughout the day.

Every step that we take is recorded. While we may utilize the technology in a personal activity tracker to benefit our physical well-being (which I have for two years now), we must be cognizant of the fact that every action we take and word we speak is being monitored beyond our physical terms. Just as a pair of tzitzis serves as a visual reminder of the 613 mitzvos to the wearer, a Fitbit, Fuelband, Jawbone and Smartband can similarly represent a significant reminder for us that our actions are meaningful and measurable, and we will ultimately be responsible for each and every one. Not only can an activity tracker inspire greater physical health, but it could compel and invigorate our spiritual performance and level of fulfillment, as well.

Say to yourself ten times today:

"Hashem, please give me the strength and ability to make every step I take today a good one!"