Fight the Good Fight in Packrat

"Fight the Good Fight" is more than a quote. It's a way of life. Not to say that makes life easy. I look at my work as fighting the good fight.

On the flight back to Oklahoma from Philadelphia my seat was next to a man who, for some reason, I started spouting to about the Jim Thorpe case. Normally I don't spout to strangers. As it turns out, he was very familiar with the case and on our side. When we landed and prepared to get off the plane, he turned to me and said, "Keep fighting the good fight."

My grandfather long ago had said to my mother, "Always fight the good fight."

One of my favorite bands is Triumph. I loooove them. I've seen them in concert three times and Rik Emmett as a solo act once. As a 19 year old fan I poured my heart out to Rik, and he responded with a handwritten note on his personal letterhead. He sent me pictures and personal notes on form letters after that. One of the things that burned in my cat cottage was a door-length poster from his solo days and on which he had penned a handwritten note. He complimented my handwriting; he mentioned that a few times and once added that mine put his to shame.

One of my favorite songs of Triumph's is, naturally, "Fight the Good Fight". Triumph's lyrics always had positive thoughts.

I've been feeling blah for a variety of reasons, upset with an inept administration and the injustices that causes. We're losing good people because of it. (When my family mentioned the latest fracas and commented "We're going to lose good people", I joked, "I'll stay as long as I can.")

I spent a few days pouting and not doing much because apparently the ones who get kudos here are the ones who literally don't do their jobs, get written complaints with proof that they're not doing their jobs turned in on them (and more than one, all with documented proof), and rather than get reprimanded they get raises!!! The person in this instance is now the highest paid person here!

What about the rest of us? One justification for the raise is that the person has been in her position for 25 years, but my sister has been working here as long or longer and still gets only $10 plus change an hour. She works for the government but that's the going rate for our tribal governmental secretaries. Really? These ladies are the ones who help our elected leaders RUN THE GOVERNMENT. I've been sick about it.

Then today came a flyer for the "good bye and good luck" going away party for someone who also tried to do the right thing and point out yet another director not doing her job. I know the chief didn't want him to leave, but I don't know that anything was done to persuade him not to go. I'm sick about that, too.

But I'm coming out of it. I'm actually doing pretty well. I know I say it all the time, because it continues to be true, but I love my job. I might have a day or two here and there when I'd rather sleep in and not go, but I still look forward to coming to work every day. I still forget to turn in the paperwork that gets me paid - my timesheets, mileage claims for travel. I work hours I don't claim. I forget to take lunches or go home on time. Even though I said I spent some time pouting, and I did, I also still did something productive.

I really believe in a change of life, and I don't mean menopause (although I believe in that, too). I need to keep reminding myself of it. I get bogged down with what's wrong; I need to focus on what's right.

The Buddha said, "We are shaped by our thoughts. We become what we think."

Margaret Lee Runbeck said, "Happiness is not a station we arrive at but a manner of traveling."

Triumph said, "You're the master of your own destiny."

So - back to fighting the good fight!

Fight the Good Fight - Triumph

Days grow shorter and the nights are getting long/ Feels like we're running out of time/ Every day it seems much harder tellin' right from wrong/ You got to read between the lines

Don't get discouraged, don't be afraid, we can/ Make it through another day/ Make it worth the price we pay

The Good Book says it's better to give than to receive/ I do my best to do my part/ Nothin' in my pockets I got nothin' up my sleeve/ I keep my magic in my heart

Keep up your spirit, keep up your faith, baby/ I am counting on you/ You know what you've got to do

Fight the good fight every moment/ Every minute every day/ Fight the good fight every moment/ It's your only way

All your life you've been waiting for your chance/ Where you'll fit into the plan/ But you're the master of your own destiny/ So give and take the best that you can

You think a little more money can buy your soul some rest/ You'd better think of something else instead/ You're so afraid of being honest with yourself/ You'd better take a look inside your head

Nothing is easy, nothing good is free on earth/ But I can tell you where to start/ Take a look inside your heart/ There's an answer in your heart

Fight the good fight every moment/ Every minute every day/ Fight the good fight every moment/ Make it worth the price we pay

Every moment of your lifetime/ Every minute every day/ Fight the good fight every moment/ Make it worth the price we pay/

Songwriters LEVINE, MIKE / MOORE, GIL / EMMETT, RIK