Nobody fights alone… or at least I hope so. And some individuals on an idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) journey were sweetly reminded that there are others who walk with them to provide love and strength.
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a progressive disease isolated to the lung. Lung tissue becomes scarred, making it more and more difficult for a person to breathe. Unfortunately, IPF is a disabling disease without a known cure or treatment. That’s why the efforts of Rachel Platten and her young chorus are an impressive contribution to the “international campaign to encourage people living with IPF to live for today and keep fighting their disease.”
When sung by the children and grandchildren of people living with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, Rachel Platten’s inspirational hit “Fight Song” urges families to continue to stand up to IPF.
I don’t know about you, but I drove a long commute to work with dark grey clouds, spurts of rain, and gusts of winds that forced me to steady my car on the highway. It was a s*#t show, for sure. By the time I got to work, my mood had plummeted into Ms. Crabby Pants. I know it’s ridiculous, but I’m one of those who is affected by my environment around me.
And then, I read this article, “Grandchildren and parents unite to stand up to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in a powerful vocal performance of chart-topping anthem ‘Fight Song’.”
The purpose. The message. The heart.
And there it was—a much needed shift in perspective.
A voice that says:
Keep fighting!
If you ever feel close to giving up, remember all of the people that are walking with you to hold your hand and give you hope.
Our toughest journeys in life often become our most rewarding.
Hang in there.
I’m walking with you.
This got me thinking about our reactions to life—the way we respond when things don’t go our way. I believe that things usually seem worse right in that moment. We are too caught up to be objective; we may have unrealistic expectations, or we try to take too much control of things we shouldn’t. We build stories in our mind, and they can sometimes spiral out of control.
So, whenever I feel myself on the verge of tears or being stressed about a certain situation, I try to take a step back from that moment and assess the situation through a different lens.
And this IPF article gave me the lens I needed.
