The Good Fight

by Paulo Coelho on July 1, 2009

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{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }

Roy July 12, 2010 at 7:11 pm

Just finished reading the book and i had a few unanswered questions .This is what i learned while i made the amazing journey of the pilgrimage through the words of Paulo .

— “The Good Fight”—

Almost all of us take life as a struggle .Everyone is struggling for one thing or the other .For money,power and pride .And in this fight we forget what we actually wanted to do ,we forget to respect our own people ,we try to count love with money.The dreams we used to have as a child are replaced by nightmares as we grow up .”The Good fight” to me is to wake up the child inside you to once again follow the long abandoned dreams .And once you start walking that path you would no longer count your success by money but you will learn to cherish even your failures ,taking it as an opportunity to fight once more .

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Pertti Kaven June 30, 2010 at 7:57 pm

About good fight: could it be a fight against the consequensis of a hard childhood without love?
The evil – the dog in the book – would then be the unloving parents.

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Dances With Crayons October 16, 2009 at 11:24 am

For everyone, with Love

The Warrior is a Child
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5o2YY5BRUg

Jane : ) xo

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Dances With Crayons October 16, 2009 at 10:54 am

Today I am feeling sad for a lovely friend in Mumbai, and thinking about the good fight.

Part of my quest was to discover if I could ‘sit with pain, yours and mine, without moving to hide it, fade it, or fix it’. This took the longest time of all.

And my answer, is yes and no! ‘Yes’, in that I listen to what it has to say. ‘No’, because I cannot walk by a crying baby and not want to help. When listening to the heartfelt cries of this world, it becomes the baby! Perhaps all I can do is offer a hug, or a smile, or say a little prayer. Or share a story, or donate to a charity. But to walk by, without addressing a cry before me?

I have also learned beyond a shadow of a doubt, in being true to myself (own nature), that there is much power through being gentle and kind – for me that works. It does not mean I cannot say no, and when using that word, do mean exactly that. To become something I am not, throwing weight around through acts of aggression, may well control others for a while. But would only display weakness.

So, being true to my own nature is fighting the good fight. Now, I am beginning to see results and that feels good. Now I can continue joyfully, learning, making mistakes, forgiving myself and others, giving my very best at all times. Thankfully, life is a wonderful adventure. I pray for patience because god is not finished with me yet!!

To be vulnerable, fearless … to try and fail, to fall and get right back up again, with a loving purpose behind all that I do, is fighting the good fight.

Thank you Paulo, much love to all, Jane : ) xo

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Marta Adriana September 27, 2009 at 3:23 am

I remember I had the same prejudices against fighting that Paulo describes in The Pilgrimage when Petrus says that fighting is an act of love.
I wanted to be at peace, but when reading Paulo I realized it was the kind of peace that leads to boredom and lack of enthusiasm.
I don’t want that peace anymore. I want the peace a bullfighter must feel when he sees the bull rushing upon him.
Now I belong to the ones who are unsatisfied but eager to fight joyfully for their fulfilment.
May fighting for our own good be sacred to all of us.
May God instill in all of us the feeling that being a warrior is a way to build our personal heaven.

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Alexandra August 22, 2009 at 8:12 am

The interesting is the word ” fight” used in a good sense as well can have a bad conotation.
We see that we cant escape struggle, no matter what is our aim.
Is that a reminiscence from the good -right fight?
Do we have any hope that we dont need to fight anymore, and live in peace and harmony, or this is an eternal thong, we will always been constrained to chose and to fight pro or against something?
I read once that the people from Babylon were ment to vanish because they lost they skill in fight, they were only living as people with no connection to army field… Well, it was in a book by Mika Waltari,” The Egyptian”. I dont know if has anything to do with reality.
For me is bit strange, being a woman, people use to see ladies a mild, non active, not as a fighter…
I do have some traits make me react, in fact I practiced martial arts, and I learnt to give up only after fighting for my dreams.
And I remember Jean dArc.
Much love
Alexandra

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kealan July 23, 2009 at 12:13 am

I am under the suspicion that the good fight takes place inside the heart; and the only person who it will help or hurt is oneself.

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Pandora July 10, 2009 at 9:28 pm

I am researching this term, I am curious to know why this reasonated with me for years without me really being aware of it or knowing why?

Whilst doing so I came across this really great website which is called GoodReads. The Pilgrimage is being discussed by two readers that are reading the book and commenting as they read it.

A quote mentioned is this: “Few can accept the burden of their own victory: most give up their dreams when they see that they can be realized. They refuse to fight the good fight because they do not know what to do with their own happiness; they are imprisoned by the things of the world.”

Genius.

I have attached a link to the GoodReads website below should anyone be interested:

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/125843-haven-t-read-the-pilgimage

(I still have yet to read it, am going to now though)

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Elaine July 8, 2009 at 10:21 pm

The symbol or logo that Paulo has chosen — circle with the sword placed within — is so very fitting for “The Good Fight.” I have been contemplating its meaning as to each time we are able to walk a path (a life) on this earth. When we are born we are given the light of our dear Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

For me the circle represents the earth or this earthly life and the trials and successes we experience while we walk this sphere. Warriors of Light (this is such a wonderful title) use their swords to help each of us grasp onto or tune into the radiance that each one of us has deep within.

Here is something to think about. Once the light of Christ has been reignited in a person, is it that person’s duty to become a
Warrior of the Light and fight The Good Fight?

Love and Warmth,
Elaine

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Catherine July 8, 2009 at 7:13 pm

I can’t remember now – to be frank – if it was from your own books, or another author.. that the concept of the good fight emerged.

After reading this, however, I found that many dominoes seemed to fit into their place… and,
again the waves of movement continued…
completion of the task seemed approaching…

I recall it as a really motivating piece of knowledge that sustained my faith into many proceeding days, weeks etc.

I’d always fought the good fight – though for very personal reasons… it didn’t occur to me that i might be in fact “normal” after all…[hooray!!! ] and, following a path that engendered every human being, no matter what circumstances or issues were contained in their lived lives.

That ‘was’ a remarkable time, perhaps now …. looking back from here ;o)

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Pandora July 9, 2009 at 9:57 pm

I have heard the term Good Fight for many. many years…. Carlos Casteneda I thought….
(maybe/maybe not)

John July 7, 2009 at 4:28 pm

“The busiest people I have known in my life always have time enough to do everything. Those who do nothing are always tired and pay no attention to the little amount of work they are required to do. They complain constantly that the day is too short.”

Find me a more true statement. Go ahead.
One of my favorite aspects of reading Coelho’s works is that they always seem to speak to something that I need to hear. There’s been several instances within the last week when I’ve thought “I don’t have the time to do that.” But then I think to the times I spent sitting in front of the television watching shows I don’t even like, wandering about a store in search of nothing, etc, etc.
My dream is to write and see published all the wonderful stories I dream of telling. However, it is too often I think there is no time in my day to write. There is time. I am merely making excuses, because how frightening would it be if I actually followed my Personal Legend? And I can’t tell you the movement that goes through my spirit when I actually take time to write.
It’s a struggle, it’s a fight. If you want to be in good shape, if you want to realize your dreams, if you want to find your happiness, your love, your treasure, your Personal Legend, you’re not going to do it while you’re on your butt, in front of the TV, wondering what you’re going to have for lunch. So strap on the armor and start fighting.

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Savita Vega July 28, 2009 at 10:23 pm

Dear John,
I recently discovered this wonderful book called “No Plot, No Problem.” Just thought I would mention it to you. By the title it sounds like it’s about the writing itself, and it is to some extent, but mostly it is about overcoming the obstacles of which you speak.

Marta Adriana July 30, 2009 at 2:39 am

John
Lovely and corageous. I really enjoyed the “So strap on the armor and start the fighting.” Very well said!

Satora July 26, 2009 at 9:13 am

Dear Pandora,

St. Paul mentions the “Good Fight” in Timothy 1 Chapter 6,12 “Fight the good fight of faith” and Timothy 2 Chapter 4,7 ” I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith;”

With loving kindness,

Satora

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