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.

Here Now

Posted on November 2, 2024 by Esther Hizsa

Between my father’s passingand the spreading of his ashes,my mother whispered to her husband,“I miss you.”I hear in her words how much he loved herand she, him. I think about my father with us nowas promised in scripture.In God, we live … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Mystical, Poetry, Prayer, Reflections, Stories | Tagged Acts 17:28, Calmness, Colossians 3:3, Drop, Esther Hizsa, Ignatian Spiritual Excercises, Jeremiah 31:3, Living from the Heart, Maria Eklind, Matthew 28:20, rjp, Romans 8:31-39, SoulStream, Spiritual Director North Okanagan, Spiritual Director Vernon | 1 Comment

The Penny Drops

Posted on October 25, 2024 by Esther Hizsa

The penny drops,and enlightenmentis eclipsedby the realization thatwhat had to be pointed out to mewas obvious to everyone else. Wonder hardly got a foot in the doorbefore embarrassmentshoved past her. Still, I’m glad I see nowwhat I couldn’t see then.It … Continue reading →

Posted in community, compassion, Poetry, Reflections, Stories | Tagged All the beauty that's inside, Conversation, Esther Hizsa, Ignatian Spiritual Excercises, Βethan, Living from the Heart, Psalm 36:7, Psalm 36:9, SoulStream, Spiritual Director North Okanagan, Spiritual Director Vernon, YoungDoo M. Carey | 2 Comments

The Demon of Resentment

Posted on October 18, 2024 by Esther Hizsa

We had a great plan. Then, bit by bit,what took shapechangedand changed againuntil I was left with more than my share of workand responsibilityalong with enough resentmentto keep me awake at night.What could I doto right this ship?I wanted to enjoy … Continue reading →

Posted in community, compassion, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged charcoal soul, cup of love, Esther Hizsa, Henri Nouwen, Ignatian Spiritual Excercises, Living from the Heart, Luke 11:15-26, Pray as you go, resentment, SoulStream, Spiritual Director North Okanagan, Spiritual Director Vernon, Svein Halvor Halvorsen, The Inner Voice of Love, Two hands one cup | 1 Comment

Certain

Posted on October 12, 2024 by Esther Hizsa

The five-year-old ignoredthe advertised exhibitsand, nose pressed to the glass,patiently waited,until she saw a crack, a tiny beak.Finally, a wet, vulnerable chick emerged from its protective shell. The child learned:if you wait long enough,you get what you hoped for. But certainty … Continue reading →

Posted in Childhood, compassion, Poetry, Reflections, Stories | Tagged Alice Walker, Certain, Esther Hizsa, Geum Cosmopolitan, Ignatian Spiritual Excercises, Living from the Heart, SoulStream, Spiritual Director North Okanagan, Spiritual Director Vernon, Sylvia Sassen | 1 Comment

Return to Your Rest

Posted on October 5, 2024 by Esther Hizsa

I really wish I could wake up grounded,walk through the day with ease,and be content with what comes. It’s not how my life goes most days. But I can returnand find rest for my soul, for You are beside me,always within me. … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Mindfulness, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Alice Popkorn, Bark Cabin Natural Area, Esther Hizsa, Loneliness, Nicholas A Tonelli, Psalm 116:7, Spiritual Director Vernon | 4 Comments

My Favourite Things

Posted on September 27, 2024 by Esther Hizsa

Cream-covered cupcakes and no-fault insurance,No big surprises and endless assurance,Wild geese that fly with my cares on their wings,These are a few of my favourite things. I’ve been putting together a playlistof my favourite attachments.Oh, the delight I feel when I … Continue reading →

Posted in False Self, Humour, Poetry, Reflections, Songs | Tagged DarthxErik, Deviant Art, Esther Hizsa, Gustavo Fring, James Finley, Mary Poppins, Meister Eckhart, Pexels, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Thomas Merton, Turning to the Mystics | Leave a comment

Leaving the Sidewalk

Posted on September 20, 2024 by Esther Hizsa

“You’re brave,” the woman at the desk said.“You ride your bike in traffic so confidently. I stick to the sidewalks.” “You’re a good listener,” someone else said the next day. Then another person and another told me something that helped … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Adorable girl on a bike, biking, Esther Hizsa, James Finley, Skylar Ewing, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, St. Benedict, Tami Simon | Leave a comment

Present Moment, Wonderful Moment

Posted on September 13, 2024 by Esther Hizsa

For so longI focussed on doing important things,prioritizing one activity over anotherand resenting ordinary, necessary tasks–cooking, cleaning, check-ups, and paying bills. Then, I kept company with folks even older than me.They helped me slow downand be present to where I … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, community, compassion, Mindfulness, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Autumn is coming, Esther Hizsa, Laatste blauwtjes.., present moment, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Sylvia Sassen, Thich Nhat Hanh, wonderful moment | 1 Comment

The Gift of Awareness

Posted on September 6, 2024 by Esther Hizsa

On a beautiful daywhen nothing was going wronganxiety showed up,just in case I needed it, I suppose. I scanned my life to see what I was concerned about.Nothing.Then disappointment showed up–disappointment that I couldn’t enjoy the daywithout this annoying “friend” … Continue reading →

Posted in Mindfulness, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Anthony de Mello, anxiety, awareness, black clouds, Esther Hizsa, Helen Haden, screen door, spiritual director Burnaby | Leave a comment

The Way to Begin Anything

Posted on August 30, 2024 by Esther Hizsa

The way we would begin in prayer is that we belong to God. And all the prayer starts and unfolds out of that knowing that we belong to God. We are trying to get past the topic of prayer to … Continue reading →