Category Archives: compassion

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 →

Posted in compassion, Lent, Reflections, Stories | Tagged Best Friends, Cale Woodley, Clint Budd, Esther Hizsa, friends, Ian Sane, lent, Lenten Prayer Practice, Pond water, Proverbs 17:17, Ruth Haley Barton, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Time | 2 Comments

Before the Miracle

Posted on January 20, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

I close my eyes, enter into my imagination, and arrive at the wedding in Cana. I take it all in–joyful chatterolives and garlicky hummusdangling earrings and earnest facesfreshly baked bread and wafts of perfumethe earthen goblet in my hand. Who am … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Ignatian Spirituality, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged Esther Hizsa, Frans Francken the Younger, Ignatian prayer, Jan Evans, Lenten retreat, Nheyob, Psalm 139:7-8, Rembrandt, Saint James the Greater Catholic Church, SoulStream, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Return of the Prodigal Son, The Wedding at Cana | Leave a comment

Let God Love You

Posted on January 13, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

“You can always come home to God, and God can always be found wherever you are, right at the centre of your soul.” I heard Danielle Shroyer say in this podcast while I was making dinner one evening. “The purpose … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Prayer, Reflections, Stories | Tagged Birds on a Rainy Day, centering prayer, Contemplative Outreach, Danielle Shroyer, Esther Hizsa, Evolving Faith, Father Thomas Keating, Guard of the Heart, Hamed Al-Raisi, Heart Angel, Hummingbird Warrior, Macomb Paynes, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Welcoming Prayer | 4 Comments

Arrows

Posted on January 6, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

“Have you had lunch yet?” I asked Fred, hoping he hadn’t eaten the leftover spaghetti. “Yes. I ate the spaghetti,” he said. “It was good.” Argh! Now I’d need to figure out something else to make for dinner. One more … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Mindfulness, Reflections, Stories | Tagged Anthony de Mello, arrows, Don Joseph Goewey, Esther Hizsa, Hans Splinter, Hints of Gladness, Open Gate, Radical Acceptance, Rod Janz, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Tara Brach, Tym, You're Okay: Stop Trying to Fix Yourself | Leave a comment

Advent 4: Silence

Posted on December 16, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

As I began my four-day retreat last week, I became aware of how uncomfortable I was with the silence–especially in the evening when it was dark, and I couldn’t go for walk or gaze at the sea. I wanted something … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, autism, Christmas, compassion, Ignatian Spirituality, Prayer, Reflections, Stories | Tagged abide, Carrie Newcomer, Christopher Jamison, Esther Hizsa, Extraordinary Attorney Woo, Fr Richard Soo, Frank hb, Ignatian Sprititual Exercises, John 15:1-15, O come o come Emmanuel, Parée, Parker J. Palmer, retreat, Silence, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | 2 Comments

Advent 1: Touch

Posted on November 25, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

I waited for You at the door of wordsbut they were little more thanletters on a pageundecipherable my feelings far away.Did I have any? I fidgeteddistractedpowerless. Then, through the locked door,You came. “Touch my face,” You said Lost feelingsfound tears. … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Christmas, compassion, Poetry, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged And they found baby Jesus laying in a manger, Esther Hizsa, John 1:14, Percita, Sarah Barker, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The National Guard, Touch | Leave a comment

My Goodness

Posted on November 4, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

Of all my fears, the fear that I’m not a good mother tops the list. It came up again in a spiritual direction session after I revealed the latest incriminating evidence and added more tissues to the wet pile on … Continue reading →