Author Archives: Esther Hizsa

About Esther Hizsa

Esther is a writer, spiritual director, and cofacilitates contemplative retreats and courses. She lives in Vernon, B.C. with her husband, Fred.

Fresh Air

Posted on August 14, 2026 by Esther Hizsa

Smoke…too dense to go out;too unsafe to play ball.So we sat in the house.and did nothing at all. All we could do was tosit!sit!sit!sit!and we did not like it.not one little bit.–Dr. Seuss, The Cat in the Hat (adapted) Then … Continue reading →

Posted in Creation, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Big Yellow Taxi, Daniel X. O'Neil, Dr Seuss, Esther Hizsa, Ignatian Spiritual Excercises, Joni Mitchell, Kalamalka Lake, Living from the Heart, Okanagan Rail Trail, pistachio, SoulStream, Spiritual Director North Okanagan, Spiritual Director Vernon, The Cat in the Hat | Leave a comment

Save Us

Posted on August 8, 2026 by Esther Hizsa

Yesterday, we returned home from camping in the Kootenays.Today, I’m baking bread, and Fred is vacuuming out the car.I wish he could vacuum up the smoke and everyone were safe at home. One hundred and four wildfires are actively … Continue reading →

Posted in community, compassion, Creation, Poetry, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged Bowen Assman, Bradley Creek Fire, Castanet, Deuteronomy 31:6, Esther Hizsa, Ignatian Spiritual Excercises, Liam Phair, Living from the Heart, Psalm 10:1, Psalm 16, Psalm 16:10, Qilpituk Creek, SoulStream, Spiritual Director North Okanagan, Spiritual Director Vernon, Vernon fire | 1 Comment

Even Now

Posted on August 2, 2026 by Esther Hizsa

Even now, Douglas Fir is filtering smoke from word, Kingfisher flies ahead, finds a perch, looks back and waits for you, guiding you in. As you paddle, pedal, saunter, sit Rain, Brook, Sapphire Sea sink you into deep silence within, … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Andy Morffew, Belted Kingfisher, Douglas fir, Esther Hizsa, harum.koh, Ignatian Spiritual Excercises, Job 12:7, Living from the Heart, SoulStream, Spiritual Director North Okanagan, Spiritual Director Vernon | 4 Comments

This Is Me Whole

Posted on July 24, 2026 by Esther Hizsa

The word for this new year that came to you –of all the words, this one and of all people, you– what if it isn’t what you should be but what you already are? What if it isn’t what you should do but what God is already … Continue reading →

Posted in Creation, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Esther Hizsa, Ignatian Spiritual Excercises, Living from the Heart, Mary Oliver, SoulStream, Spiritual Director North Okanagan, Spiritual Director Vernon, Wild Geese | Leave a comment

Penelope Rides the Icefield Parkway

Posted on July 17, 2026 by Esther Hizsa

Three mountain passes (Sunwapta, Bow, Kicking Horse) Three national parks (Jasper, Banff and Yoho) Three hundred kilometres (301.5 to be exact): Snaring River Campground, north of Jasper, to Hoodoo Creek Campground in Yoho by way of Lake Louise in Banff … Continue reading →

Posted in Creation, Reflections, Stories | Tagged Banff, Bow Summit, Esther Hizsa, Icefield Parkway, Ignatian Spiritual Excercises, Jasper, John Philip Newell, Liv Avail, Living from the Heart, Penelope, Peyto Lake, Sacred Earth Sacred Soul, SoulStream, Spiritual Director North Okanagan, Spiritual Director Vernon, Wapta Falls, Yoho | 6 Comments

Making Friends in Jasper

Posted on July 10, 2026 by Esther Hizsa

Fred and I are camping in Jasper National Park. I love being outside and recall what Victoria Loorz said about “relationship-ing” with Creation: we are in relationship with creation, and she with us. With this in mind, I notice … Continue reading →

Posted in Creation, Reflections, Stories | Tagged A Gaelic Blessing, Celtic Blessing, Deep Peace, Esther Hizsa, Ignatian Spiritual Excercises, Jasper, Living from the Heart, Living from the Heart Podcast, SoulStream, Spiritual Director North Okanagan, Spiritual Director Vernon, Victoria Loorz, Wood Lily | 1 Comment

Falling in Love

Posted on June 26, 2026 by Esther Hizsa

Nothing is more practical thanfinding God, thanfalling in Lovein a quite absolute, final way …Fall in Love, stay in love,and it will decide everything.–Joseph Whelan, SJ I need to find andfall in love with God in an absolute, final way. … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Creation, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Alfalfa, Alice Walker, Church of the Wild, Esther Hizsa, Falling in Love, Grey Canal Trail, Ignatian Spiritual Excercises, Joseph Whelan, Living from the Heart, Michael Major, SoulStream, Spiritual Director North Okanagan, Spiritual Director Vernon, Victoria Loorz | 1 Comment

A Contemplative in the Kitchen

Posted on June 19, 2026 by Esther Hizsa

I forget that I’m sort of on the autism spectrumuntil I walk into a room full of activity with a job to do,and I’m overwhelmed. It’s my turn to make dinner:pizza and salad for twenty family members in a foreign … Continue reading →

Posted in autism, compassion, Poetry, Reflections, Stories | Tagged Esther Hizsa, Ignatian Spiritual Excercises, Living from the Heart, Luke 6:36, Petr Kratochvil, pile of dirty dishes, pizza, Robert, SoulStream, Spiritual Director North Okanagan, Spiritual Director Vernon | Leave a comment

Unfailing Love

Posted on June 11, 2026 by Esther Hizsa

We gathered and celebrated,blessed the Earth with Mom’s ashes, blessed each other with who she waswoven in our words, (“Okay”, “Oh, come on!” and “Oh well”)baked in the bread, the Tia Maria squares, the Linzer Torte,savoured in the Pinot,grateful for … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Bryan Hughes, crucifixion, Esther Hizsa, Heidi Frehner, Ignatian Spiritual Excercises, Jammery, Kalamalka Lake, Living from the Heart, Psalm 143:8, SoulStream, Spiritual Director North Okanagan, Spiritual Director Vernon | 2 Comments

The Tree Speaks

Posted on May 30, 2026 by Esther Hizsa

Fir trees bear green branches year-round. But take a look, and you’ll notice some dead limbs. One tree, nestled in community, is only green near the top with clusters of vibrant new growth lower down where sunlight found them. The … Continue reading →