Just Hold On

When we are within the throes of uncertainty sometimes all we can do is hold on.

It might mean literally holding onto someone: someone close to you, someone dear to you, someone you love. Just hold on.

It might mean holding onto something tangible, something in front of you, something to hold you up and support you. Just hold on.

It might mean holding onto a feeling, an idea, a memory that sustains you. Recall it. Feel it. Just hold on.

It might mean holding onto a friend, a confidant, a fellow traveler through the dark. Just hold on.

It might mean holding onto spirit: the spirit of your loved one, the spirit of angels, the spirit guide put into your life to guide you along your path; the Divine Spirit. Just hold on.

Holding on means something different for each of us, depending on where we are, what we are going through, or what we need at the time. It can change from stage to stage, from day to day, from moment to moment. However, there is always something, one thing there in front of us, or within us, behind us or in front of us in which we can reach out to, take hold of, and just hold on.

No matter how despondent, desolate or dreadful your dark night of the soul feels, you can survive. Night always gives way to morning. Darkness always gives way to light. As the psalmist reminds us, “tears may linger for the night, but joy does with the dawn.”

Your grief will fade. Your suffering will subside. Your tears will end. Your broken heart will mend. However, right here, right now you don’t have to know where to go or how to get there or what to do. Tonight it is enough to hold on – so just hold on.

Here is a beautiful poem from the Pueblo Indian tradition to help you hold on.

Hold on to what is good,

even if it’s a handful of earth.

Hold on to what you believe,

even if it’s a tree that stands by itself.

Hold on to what you must do,

even if it’s a long way from here.

Hold on to your life,

even if it’s easier to let go.

Hold on to my hand,

even if I’ve gone away from you.

Rabbi B