Inspired by Nikki Gemmell’s “Blithe Spirit” column — from The Australian Good Weekend Edition
Learning to live with an open hand instead of a clenched fist.
Why do we hold on so tightly — to irritation, worry, anger, or control — when all it does is drain our energy?
There’s a beautiful Chinese saying:
“Worry is a misuse of the imagination.”
And another that reminds us:
“Fear is False Evidence Appearing Real.”
When we focus on what’s toxic or negative, we shrink. It’s like having a farrible (as my mum used to say) — chewing on the same issue until it eats us up.
💭 Try this instead:
Before sending that curt email or reactive text, pause. Ask yourself —
“Will this create energy or deplete energy?”
If it drains you, let it go.
If it nourishes you, lean in.
That’s fierce and beautiful clarity.
Focus on gratitude.
Eliminate toxicity.
Feed what’s nourishing — in people, work, and life.
Marcus Aurelius said it best:
“Keep an untroubled spirit.”
And maybe that’s our greatest mission —
to live with grace, generosity, and an untroubled heart on this fragile, beautiful fragile rock that we share 🌎
The “ Ani Lefanecha” prayer — in Hebrew, “אני לפניך”, meaning “I stand before You” — is a short, deeply personal prayer that expresses humility, self-reflection, and spiritual openness before God
It’s not one of the formal daily prayers like the Amidah or Shema, but rather a meditative model of prayer rooted in the Jewish idea of hitbodedut — personal conversation with the Divine.
Here’s what it’s about 👇
Meaning and Essence
“Ani Lefanecha” literally means “I am before You.”
It’s a moment of awareness — recognizing that you’re standing in the presence of something greater, stripping away ego, fear, and distraction.
It’s used as a model to:
- Center oneself before formal prayer or meditation
- Acknowledge vulnerability and humanity
- Open a dialogue with God or the higher self
Surrender control — saying, “I am present, I am listening.”
Themes in the Prayer
- Presence: “I stand before You” — awareness of the moment.
- Humility: Recognizing limits and imperfections.
- Surrender: Letting go of control and worry.
- Alignment: Seeking to live in harmony with divine will or universal flow.
A Common Form (Paraphrased)
“Ani lefanecha — I stand before You, Source of all.
My heart is open, my mind is humble.
Guide me to act with wisdom, speak with kindness,
and bring light where there is darkness.”
Why it’s Powerful
- It quiets the ego — you pause before reacting.
- It creates sacred space before action, prayer, or difficult conversations.
It helps you align thought, intention, and energy — much like mindfulness or “flow.