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.

A Wondrous Thought

Posted on December 5, 2025 by Esther Hizsa

After the angel Gabriel’s visit, Mary woke to a new reality. The pondering of her heart emerged on her lips as she washed the dishes and passed by the beggars on her way to fetch water. “My soul glorifies the … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent | Tagged Advent, Christmas, Christopher Bulle, Contemplation, Cristina 1, Faith, Gaylon Keeling, God waits for us, Hafiz, Jesus, Keeping Watch, Luke 1:26-38, Luke 1:43-55, Mary, Pietro Annigoni, Psalm 13:1, wondrous thought | Leave a comment

Waiting

Posted on November 28, 2025 by Esther Hizsa

What if the one you are waiting for never comes? It was only choir practice at the little United Church a mile away. My friend Edith and I were thirteen years old and proud to be the youngest members. Every … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Childhood, Christmas, compassion, Reflections, Seed Cracked Open, Stories | Tagged Advent, Gerrit van Honthorst, grosskopf_photography, Isaiah 9:2, Isaiah 9:6, Riding into the Sunset, The Nativity, waiting, Wes Peck | 1 Comment

When Love Happens

Posted on November 19, 2025 by Esther Hizsa

To loveand be loved.We were made for this.Love created the earth, the stars, the seas.Everything and everyone was made of You,from Loveby Love,for Love. Love is the one thing needed,the command that keeps all others. To see what love does–there … Continue reading →

Posted in community, compassion, Creation, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Best Friends, Esther Hizsa, Ignatian Spiritual Excercises, Jacqueline Bergen, Jessie Wilcox Smith, Living from the Heart, SoulStream, SoulStream Community, Spiritual Director North Okanagan, Spiritual Director Vernon, Take and Receive, Thomas Leuthard | Leave a comment

A Walk with Rod Part 2

Posted on November 8, 2025 by Esther Hizsa

Hey friends, Remember when I wrote about my mom loving me the way I wanted to be loved the day after I went for a walk with a friend and talked about accepting that she loves me the way she … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Childhood, compassion, Reflections | Tagged Esther Hizsa, Ignatian Spiritual Excercises, Let's Go for a Walk and Talk, Living from the Heart, Rod Janz, SoulStream, Spiritual Director North Okanagan, Spiritual Director Vernon | Leave a comment

Colloquy 2*

Posted on November 1, 2025 by Esther Hizsa

I awoke to find a blanket of yellow covering the lawn. Other fading leaves still clung to the tree. Eventually, they would tire, loosen their grip and be vulnerable to the next brisk breeze. Then, my dear tree will stand naked while rain pelts, winds push and pull and snow … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Creation, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged colloquy, Esther Hizsa, Ignatian Spiritual Excercises, Ignatius of Loyola, Joan O'Sullivan, Living from the Heart, SoulStream, Spiritual Director North Okanagan, Spiritual Director Vernon, willow, winter branches | Leave a comment

Our Stories

Posted on October 25, 2025 by Esther Hizsa

The very thing I think I can’t tell you is what I need to. The very thing I fear will bring judgment and rejection, brings compassion and connection instead. Sharing our stories, being vulnerable, being needy, afraid, hurt and discombobulated and not having to hide it, not having … Continue reading →

Posted in community, Poetry, Reflections, Writing | Tagged Birds on a Wire, Cheryl Strayed, Collective Trauma Summit, Erick Bethlehem, Esther Hizsa, Frederick Buechner, freedom, Ignatian Spiritual Excercises, Julie Falk, Listening to Your Life, Living from the Heart, SoulStream, Spiritual Director North Okanagan, Spiritual Director Vernon, Thomas Hübl | Leave a comment

A Walk with Rod

Posted on October 21, 2025 by Esther Hizsa

My friend Rod Janz and I went for a walk on the Okanagan Rail Trail in Vernon. Here is some of our conversation. (The title photo is of Fred and me in Banff National Park.) By the way, you can … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Mindfulness, Reflections | Tagged Esther Hizsa, Ignatian Spiritual Excercises, Living from the Heart, Okanagan Rail Trail, Rod Janz, SoulStream, Spiritual Director North Okanagan, Spiritual Director Vernon | Leave a comment

The Story Isn’t Over

Posted on October 11, 2025 by Esther Hizsa

The day after I walked with a friend and lamented about my journey of letting go ofhow I wish my mother would love me and accepting how she does, she had an up day. Her brain was back. She was full of vitality and … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Reflections, Stories | Tagged Adam Jones, Esther Hizsa, Ignatian Spiritual Excercises, Kalamalka Lake, Living from the Heart, Rattlesnake Point, SoulStream, Spiritual Director North Okanagan, Spiritual Director Vernon, Vernon | 7 Comments

Claim Your Home

Posted on October 6, 2025 by Esther Hizsa

The Spirit is the one who makes all things new, and everawaits our “Yes” to the Dance. … come. Claim your home in theUniversal heart.from Psalm 110, Nan C. Merrill, Psalms for Praying Hold…what happened lift it up in your cupped hands,up out … Continue reading →

Posted in community, compassion, Justice, Poetry, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged Alexa Sunshine Rose, Alice Popkorn, Esther Hizsa, g, Ignatian Spiritual Excercises, Living from the Heart, Nan C. Merrill, Open My Heart, Psalm 110, Psalms for Praying, SoulStream, Spiritual Director North Okanagan, Spiritual Director Vernon, Uniiversal heart, Verbundenheit | Leave a comment

Clouds

Posted on September 27, 2025 by Esther Hizsa

I knew what was wrong and why I was bothered. It made no sense, and I told myself that. But the sadness didn’t go away even when I ate more for supper and snacked on one thing after another. In the morning, I was able to … Continue reading →