Category Archives: compassion

Falling in Love

Posted on June 30, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

How can I go off-grid for eight days while our priest was away? I had heard that the Jesuit Spirituality Apostolate of Vancouver was offering another eight-day retreat. I considered going, but I’m one of the churchwardens who, along with … Continue reading →

Posted in community, compassion, Ignatian Spirituality, Prayer, Reflections, Stories | Tagged David L. Fleming SJ, Esther Hizsa, Fall in love stay in love, Father Richard Soo, Fr. Joseph P. Whelan, heart in sand, Irene Fennema, Jan Evans, Living from the Heart, pxfuel, Soul of Christ, SoulStream, SoulStream Ignatian Spiritual Exercises, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | Leave a comment

I Am Enough

Posted on June 23, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

When someone expresses their love for me, I wonder, what did I do to deserve it? What have I become that evokes the appreciation of others? Then, unconsciously, I set out to do more of that, be more of that. … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Reflections, Spiritual Direction | Tagged 1 Corinthians 13:7, A Life of Being Having and Doing Enough, EFT, Esther Hizsa, 越/Yue 胡/HU, heart, Jeremiah 31:3, Joe Green, love, Luke 15, Mark Nepo, Nick Ortner, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Tapping, The Book of Awakening, Wayne Muller | 4 Comments

Coming Home

Posted on June 16, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

Sometimes I feel likeevery part of me’s beenflung up in the airand caughtin slow motion floating, swirlingand falling leisurelydown to earth. Transitions are hard. Departures and arrivals unsettle me.I have to let it be and wait with You until all these parts of mefall … Continue reading →

Posted in autism, community, compassion, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged All Parts Welcome, beach, beach pebbles, Elizabeth Gilbert, Esther Hizsa, Ib Aarmo, Matthew Henry, pebbles, Psalm 18:16-19, Richard Schwartz, Sounds True, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Tami Simon | 3 Comments

Less

Posted on June 9, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

I feel gratefulon sunny dayswhen more is given than I hoped for or imagined. But not so much on days that are less than great,with tedious moments and stress,disappointmentsand sadnessI can’t escape. I want to change the channel,change the scenery,change everyone … Continue reading →

Posted in ADHD, Aging, autism, compassion, Poetry, Reflections, Songs | Tagged Audrey Assad, boredom, Esther Hizsa, Gustave Thibon, Landlady, MissTitty, Restless, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Tom Wuest, U2, Underneath the Shadow | 4 Comments

Just Sit There and Let Me Love You

Posted on May 19, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

When my eyelid started twitching, I knew my body was stressed. “You can slow down,” I heard God say to me in a spiritual direction session. That week, with the same tender concern Pastor Ruth said, “You don’t have to … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Easter, Reflections, Stories | Tagged Alex O'Neal, Eastertide, Esther Hizsa, Girl Seated on Hillside, I hear coffee, jojo 77, Psalm 131:2, raccoon, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Winslow Homer | Leave a comment

Notice Me

Posted on May 5, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

As soon as the participants started arriving at the retreat centreI noticed something in meelbowed to the front and shoved my self aside. She wanted a hug from everyone and pouted when she didn’t get it.At the dinner table,she told … Continue reading →

Posted in Childhood, compassion, Easter, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Bernard Dupont, Esther Hizsa, Gordon Johnson, Michael Levine-Clark, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Vervet Monkeys | 4 Comments

The Unholy Three

Posted on April 28, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

Fear is a powerful ally.It curbs my behaviour, motivates me, and keeps me safe.Would I be as nice if I didn’t fear judgment?Would I prepare and work so hard if I didn’t fear failure?Would I watch what I eat and … Continue reading →

Posted in ADHD, compassion, Easter, Mindfulness, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Eastertide, Esther Hizsa, Heather Ruce, Jim Forest, Luke 12:29-32, Rublev Trinity, sparrows, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, super hero, The Unholy Three | Leave a comment

My Suffering

Posted on April 21, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

Sadness crept closer with each chapter I read. Then it slipped in beside me when the father left too. It was still there the next day and the day after that. Sadness kept coming in through the tiny crack of … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Easter, Ignatian Spirituality, Mindfulness, Poetry, Prayer, Reflections, Stories | Tagged Bloomst, Esther Hizsa, fiction, Heather Ruce, Ignatius of Loyola, Jeena Paradies., Leuchtturm81, Ofjd125gk87, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, suffering, Third degree of humility, tree | Leave a comment

A Blessing for When You’re in the Wilderness

Posted on March 10, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. —Matthew 4:1 (NIV) On the day the Spirit leads you into the wilderness,may you know it was a Friend that led you thereand that … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Lent, Poetry, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged Aaron Schock, angel, Briton Rivièr, Cale Woodley, Esther Hizsa, lent, Lenten Prayer Practice, Matthew 4, Mt. Hope Cemetery, Psalm 63:1, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Temptation in the Wilderness, Time | 1 Comment

The Journey of Friendship

Posted on February 24, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

Recently, a friend let me know they were upset. As I listened, I learned how upset they were and that it was partly because of something I didn’t do. I was grateful that they told me. It was hard for … Continue reading →