A. Putting your left foot forward in everything you do

This is a motivational speech about looking everywhere and being ready for anything. You never know when something is coming at you and you better be aware. Put your left foot forward in everything you do. You don't understand now, but you will.

B. RECENT EXPERIENCE I was on my way home taking public transportation when all of a sudden, I walked off the last step and as the door opened somebody hit me as I stepped off.  Before I knew it, I was already down. The bus driver was yelling but did little else. The man ran away down the street like a coward. This whole incident came down to the surprise of the moment. The man just came out of nowhere and attacked me. I reflected on what had happened. He was not a communist, but he was intoxicated. Even people you may avoid and think are harmless may be dangerous. This is why, my friends, you have to be ready at all times.

C. PAST KNOWLEDGE  Here is where the root of the story begins. Howard "Mac" McKonnel owned Mac's Gym For Boys. He was an intimidating man, bald, with guns for arms he referred to as footballs. He taught me boxing lessons for a couple of years. He would always say, "Keep your hands out of your pockets and your left foot forward." During our sessions, he would pull out heavy bags. He pounded these punching bags that had pictures of Khomeini and other fascists, dictators and communists on them. He used to sell them to the Boys and Girls Club, so young kids could learn how to punch a communist's lights out. As he punched the bag and moved back and forth, his loose keys and change jingled in his pocket.