When John Lennon and Paul McCartney positioned themselves to write songs, sadness, tenderness, self-examination and, at times, adolescent behaviour would every so often follow.

But the adversity and hardship of being, living, existing also affected their writing. When John Lennon separated from his first wife, Cynthia, Paul McCartney was heartbroken for Julian, their 5-year-old son. So, McCartney penned the song “Hey Jude” as a means of comforting Julian. The lyrics are captivating and remain relevant for us all today. 

“Hey Jude, don’t make it bad

Take a sad song and make it better

Remember to let her into your heart

Then you can start to make it better.”

In spite of the prodigious hardships we might face today, if we forgive and foster our compassion, sympathy, and self-worth, we will endure.

Keep in mind, valuing you, your talents, and your accomplishments by no means should amplifying your ego. Author and psychologist Dr. Lisa Firestone considers “self-worth should be less about measuring yourself based on external actions and more about valuing your inherent worth as a person.”

We’re inclined to blame ourselves for situations that are entirely out of our containment. Do you or are you doing this right now?

We may lose our business, not receive the promotion we’re entitled to or inevitably suffering on the surface, overwhelming heartbreak. Despite the obscurity, the darkness, we must not indulge the enemy within. We have a duty never to let go of our self-worth and at no time succumb internally to outside problems or expectations.

When these moments of despair and disappointment arise, we must have strong convictions in our boundaries and personal values.

We must continuously strive to “take a sad song and make it better.”

Never stop believing, asking the question why, and being unique.

—Brian Nadon