There is a line from an old hymn called, “Keep on the Firing Line” by Bessie Hatcher that says “We must run, be brave, fight against all evil and never run or even lag behind...” The line from this song epitomizes what it means to “fight the good fight”. To “fight the good fight” means to be a beacon of light in a dark world. It means always standing up for what is right and for those who cannot stand up for themselves. It means never running or looking the other way when we know something is wrong.
The world we live in now is a fast-paced constantly changing place. Those constant changes make the lines between right and wrong, seem like they are constantly changing or getting blurred. A person, who wants to be a beacon of light in this dark world, must have a firm set of beliefs and convictions, but still be willing to learn, grow and adapt to new things. A person cannot be so set their ways that they have no room to grow or improve themselves. There are always new things to learn and explore. You are never too old to learn or try something new.
As a medical professional it is my duty to take care of my patients, without compromising their safety or their privacy. Medical professionals must be willing to fight for the rights of our patients. We need to be aware of what is ethical and non-ethical in the care of our patients; and be willing to stand up for what is right no matter the cost. Our patients deserve the most compassionate, caring and ethical care we can give them.
In summary to fight the good fight means to be a leader. It means to set an example in everything we do. It means being the person who leads the way and lights the path for everyone around us and for all the people who follow us. The real meaning of “fighting the good fight”, is being a trailblazer and fighting the fight for others who cannot fight for themselves, while still remaining true to who we are and what we believe in.