Category Archives: compassion

Astonishing Things Can Happen

Posted on October 22, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

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 , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Listening to My Fear

Posted on October 15, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

“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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

The Sannyasi’s Gift

Posted on October 8, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

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

Come Back

Posted on September 24, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

As autumn arrives, I find myself with little energy or enthusiasm. I have responsibilities, work to do, and practices to return to but lack the desire to do any of it. I don’t see a clear path forward as Covid … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Justice, Reflections, Songs, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Come Home, Sweetheart

Posted on September 3, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

Sunny dayslong bike ridespeaches and time–lots of leisurely time to enjoy momentswithout conflictdeadlines or problems to solve. Then the rain we needed cameto put out the firesalong with the restrictions we needed to keep us all safe.News kept coming from Haiti … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Poetry, Poverty of Spirit, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Offering Kindness

Posted on August 27, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

“When I read your blog I hear how much you’ve changed in the past year,” my friend said. “You’re a lot kinder to yourself.” I smiled and recalled how often I used to hear, “You’re so hard on yourself.” I … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Reflections, Spiritual Direction | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Being Vulnerable

Posted on August 13, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

“How can you be so vulnerable?” readers have asked me over the years. That question makes me nervous. Am I too vulnerable? What criticism have I invited? Then I hear from these askers the most common response to my honesty: … Continue reading →

Posted in community, compassion, Poverty of Spirit, Reflections, Stories, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Root Rot

Posted on July 27, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

“You see these roots here? They’re brown and have no filaments on them.” My daughter, Heidi, sat on our balcony holding my poor, naked Christmas cactus and pulled away the old soil and dead roots. “No wonder the leaves are … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Creation, Reflections, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

The Gift of Self-Awareness

Posted on July 2, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

Lately, my self-awareness has risen to a whole new level. I swear there’s a little fellow deep inside me rummaging through all my crap and sending it up for me to look at. These “gifts” are about as attractive as … Continue reading →

Posted in autism, compassion, Prayer, Reflections, Spiritual Direction | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Here

Posted on June 18, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

Sometimes being herefeels like I’m in the wrong placeas if I could look at a map and backtrackto where I’m supposed to be.But there’s no map for the contemplative journey,let alone my contemplative journey. “Here,” the wise ones say,“is the … Continue reading →

Posted in community, compassion, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment