When Jimmy Valvano accepted the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the Espy's he was fighting cancer. How he fought that battle is a lesson in not just courage but so many other noble virtues.
His love of both his family and life was on display during that battle. His perseverance certainly shined through, as it did when he coached basketball at North Carolina State University.
And lastly, peace. He was at peace with the fact that he was going to die. He wasn't going to go down without a fight, but he had no allusions. As we all should. He may have been terminally ill with cancer, but we all have an expiration date as well. So why not make your time here worthwhile and dignified? Why not try your best to be noble?
Towards the beginning of his speech, he says that there are three things everyone should do every day of their lives - Laugh, Think, and Cry. If you take ten minutes to watch the video below you'll do just that.