My Grandmother’s Hands: Attunement as resistance

A Reflection

Resmaa Menakem’s words remind us that the hurt we carry from racial trauma isn’t just in our minds, it’s held deep in our bones. He shows us that real healing happens when we learn to gently tune in to the tension and heartbreak stored in our bodies. As we build the capacity to pause, breathe, and notice what’s happening inside, we begin to loosen patterns that have been passed down through generations. The beauty is, we’re not just healing ourselves—we’re creating a legacy of care, compassion, and wholeness.

An Invitation

Before you start, give yourself a quick check-in: on a scale of 1 to 10, how anxious are you feeling right now? Then, for just three minutes, hum any tune that comes to mind—no judgments, no performances, just let the vibration settle in your chest. Afterward, see if your number has changed. Even the smallest shift is a reminder that you have a say in how your body holds its stress.

A Benediction

May you learn to gently guide your body toward calm, knowing that each steady breath is an act of self-love.

May your moments of soothing and settling be a gift not only to yourself, but to those around you.

May you recognize that in tending to your own nervous system, you’re creating more space for knowledge, embodiment, and collective healing.

And may each small step toward regulation be a stitch in the tapestry of well-being that connects us all.