Author Archives: Esther Hizsa

Unknown's avatar

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 Quarter Turn

I suddenly knew I was looking at it from the wrong angle, and I gave the cloth in my hand a quarter turn. Immediately I saw a beautiful and coherent golden pattern…. In wonder, the pattern had emerged, to be … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Mindfulness, Reflections, Spiritual Direction, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Being the Odd One Out

Finally, I thought as I placed a mat in front of our door. Now our doorway matched the other three that open onto the breezeway. We are no longer the odd one out. On a Zoom call that week, a … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Reflections, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Horizons

What happened was so subtle I almost missed it. Every once in a while, I’m asked to preach at my church. After I finished writing my homily for Sunday, I joined Fred for a walk. I shared with him what … Continue reading →

Posted in Mindfulness, Reflections, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

You Are Worthy to Leave This Sadness

He Desired Me So I Came Close No one can near God unless He has prepared a bed for you. A thousand souls hear His call every second, but most every one then looks into their life’s mirror and says, … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Mystical, Poetry, Prayer, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

I Want to See

“If a man [or woman] born blind were told about the nature of the colour yellow, he would understand absolutely nothing, no matter how much instruction he received. Since he never saw these colours, nor their like, he would not … Continue reading →

Posted in Mindfulness, Mystical, Popular Posts, Poverty of Spirit, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Doing Things that Don’t Spark Joy

I tend to avoid doing things that don’t spark joy. These jobs end up at the bottom of my To Do list and don’t make a fuss until a deadline pinches them and they squeal. I groan. Oh bother. Do … Continue reading →

Posted in Humour, Mindfulness, Reflections, Songs, Stories, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Astonishing Things Can Happen

How might this moment be a gift to me, just as it is? I asked in last week’s post. I fingered that question like a smooth stone in my pocket while I put on my jacket and shoes.  “Okay then,” … Continue reading →

Posted in community, compassion, False Self, Mindfulness, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Listening to My Fear

“I got out my old calendars and checked. We used that Groupon. I didn’t lose three hundred dollars, afterall,” I told Fred, and he gave me a hug and a kiss. It was a sunny Friday, and we’d just gotten … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Mindfulness, Overeating, Prayer, Reflections, Spiritual Direction, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

The Sannyasi’s Gift

After my playful summer, I had literally hundreds of unread emails to clear. One thing led to another, and I ended up on Groupon. In my history, I found an expired coupon a couple of years old worth three hundred … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Ignatian Spirituality, Prayer, Reflections, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Begin Here

Begin here, the mystics say.Humbly and honestly,name where you are,what you love,what you feel,and wait thereuntil the eyes of your heartadjustto the dark. God is right beside you,in and around,above and below.You don’t need to go anywhere elseto find God,to … Continue reading →

Posted in Creation, Poetry, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment