“Hold On” is one of John's most raw and honest moments. The song is almost startlingly bare: just John's voice, a guitar, and a sense of urgency. It is a cry in the dark. Hold on, John. Just hold on.
Overcoming the moments when we feel most like giving up is a challenge. Sometimes it simply requires a reminder to hang in there. John was in the middle of intense self-examination when he wrote this track. The breakup of The Beatles, a failed marriage, and a new relationship all weighed heavily on him.
Living under a microscope made these transitions more difficult. John’s every move was front page news. We live in a culture that broadcasts the failures of celebrities. Under that scrutiny the song’s message is particularly poignant.
Doubt creeps in when things aren’t going well. Life has its ups and downs. The down times can be valuable learning experiences if we can just hold on. John eventually got through this rough period and built a quiet and peaceful domestic life. Eventually, he rekindled the creative spark to renew his musical career, but first he had to “hold on”.
Today, I will recognize that simply continuing through a difficult period is a genuine act of courage, and I will extend that same recognition to someone else who is quietly persisting.
What difficult season in your life required you to simply hold on when holding on felt impossible? What did that perseverance teach you about your own strength?
