"Keep fighting the good fight"... it was the only advice I had.

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I just got back from visiting one of my favourite uncles who has recently been diagnosed with stage IV small cell lung carcinoma (colourfully captured in the attached photograph) . For those not familiar with this particular cancer, it is one of the more aggressive types with an extremely low survival rate (2% after five years) and is strongly associated with smoking; my uncle, his family and those around him are bracing for battle, with chemotherapy being the first salvo.

As we parted, shaking hands, hugging, and offering all those words of encouragement that weave themselves into these situations, I looked at my uncle and said, "Keep fighting the good fight". For me, it seemed to be the only advice I had to give, and maybe, the only real advice there is to give.

A phrase with roots in Christianity, "fight the good fight" was the "call to spread the faith" and was sometimes very much a literal activity - Nowadays, the phase more often than not is used to recognize, encourage and offer support for the difficult challenges that LIFE can bring our way. And more importantly I believe, it reminds of us of those traits that we can muster to help us overcome great adversity and accomplish wonderful things!

  • Courage
  • Resourcefulness
  • Wholeheartedness
  • Tenacity
  • Thoughtfulness
  • Fortitude
  • Strength
  • Honor
  • Respect
  • Honesty
  • Love

All coming out of that simple word... "Good". 

Originally offered as advice, I think it is truly more of a mantra that reminds us of who we are, what we are made of, and what we can accomplish under the most difficult of situations. And when the "good fight" is over and the dust has settled, we can hold your heads high and show others how it is done.

So whatever your challenges, be them big or small, " keep fighting the good fight"...  I know that is what my uncle is doing.

iamgpe.