Reach Out and Touch – Somebody's Hand

Reach Out and Touch – Somebody’s Hand

March 01, 2022

Hands That Love

by Roger C. Jones

Imagine hands that love as they

stroke, serve, reach, rub,

caress, cradle, hold, hug

Picture loving hands–

crooked, cracked and worn

tender, tough or torn

But hands can also

poke, pinch,

slap, slam…

Yet see them be

gentle, giving,

helping, healing

Yes deep in the heart

dwells that steady voice

inspiring us to have and offer–

hands that love.

Stop Breathe Believe Art by Monika Agic.

May we be grateful for our hands. If your hands have been injured or are missing, may you know my heart sees your pain. 

There can also be tremendous pain in the mis-use or abuse of touch. May this writing feel safe for you. I hold you in my heart with empathy and encouragement for your healing.

Let’s invite some time for ourselves here…

If possible, take a few minutes to look at the top of your hands. What would it feel like if we gazed at our hands with compassion? What is the history of our hands? Do they hurt? Do they struggle? Do they long for touch? Maybe there is a ring or tattoo that adorns your hands that holds meaning. Maybe not. Maybe you have critical judgments about your hands. 

Now, gently turn your hands over…observe the intricate lines. Your hands. Like no other. The uniqueness of your hands, your fingers, your fingerprints. 

What about the history of your hands? Do your hands look like your Mother’s? Your Father’s? Maybe you don’t know your Mother or your Father and you wonder, what did their hands look like? Maybe there is a scar, a crooked finger from an injury, a joint that aches with arthritis.

Our hands – the strength, the vitality, the ability to create, design, build. The beauty.

Just as The Divine can lovingly reach into our hearts and touch the very part that is the most fragile, how can we be tender in our touch?

How can we love with our hands more abundantly? There is a significant amount of hurt in our world, our countries, our states, our cities, our towns, our neighborhoods, our communities, our families, our relationships, and our hearts right now. How can we use our hands to heal? How can we hold space for another?

Photo taken in Dallas, Texas.

The title of this piece, "Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)" is the debut solo single of singer Diana Ross, released in 1970 by Motown Records. The lyrics are so elegantly simple and so deeply meaningful that I am teaching them to our young granddaughters. How can the meaning of this song permeate the “giving center” of their little hearts and how can we let the power of the words sink into our hearts? 

Photo taken in Dallas, Texas.

I invite you to cue up this familiar tune and hum or sing along. Let its message speak to you: How can we hold space for those we love? How can we invite others into a circle of conversation vs. a tug-of-war of “our view” of right and wrong? May we pass on a lineage of loving hands and loving hearts to others. 

"Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)"

Reach out and touch
Somebody's hand
Make this world a better place
If you can
Reach out and touch
Somebody's hand
Make this world a better place
If you can

Take a little time out your busy day
To give encouragement
To someone who's lost the way
(Just try)
Or would I be talking to a stone
If I asked you
To share a problem that's not your own
(Oh no)
We can change things if we start giving
Why don't you

Reach out and touch
Somebody's hand
Make this world a better place
If you can
Reach out and touch
Somebody's hand
Make this world a better place
If you can

If you see an old friend on the street
And he's down
Remember his shoes could fit your feet
(Just try)
Try a little kindness and you'll see
It's something that comes 
Very naturally
(Oh yeah)
We can change things if we start giving

Why don't you 
(Why don't you)
Reach out and touch 
Somebody's hand

Reach out and touch (reach out)
Somebody's hand
Make this world a better place
If you can
Reach out and touch
Somebody's hand (touch somebody's hand)
Make this world a better place
If you can (why don't you)

Reach out and touch 
Somebody's hand (somebody's hand)
Make this world a better place
If you can

Songwriters: Nickolas Ashford / Valerie Simpson

This month, as we focus on Reach Out and Touch – Somebody’s Hand, I will be sharing images of hands – loving hands, time-worn hands, little hands, hands that work hard, hands that are tender and precious, hands demonstrating love. Along with these images, I will be sharing various quotes and thoughts to ponder. May we be inspired and encouraged to love deeply and to reach out and touch another in a caring and meaningful way.

You may follow me on Instagram or Facebook for daily posts or you may download the PDF below for the images and daily reflections.

Photo taken in Dallas, Texas.