Category Archives: compassion

This Good Friday

Posted on April 15, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

Crucifixion by Ukrainian artist Natalya Rusetskain You take in all our sufferingfeelevery violent act every hope destroyedeach final breath. From the crossyou seethrough our denialand delusions.No justification dares return your gaze. From the crossyour eyesfind ours. In them, we seeloveforgivenessGod with … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Easter, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged crucifixion, Esther Hizsa, Good Friday, Natalya Rusetskain, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Ukraine | 4 Comments

Left-Handed in a Right-Handed World

Posted on April 1, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

I do that, I thought. And that. And that sounds familiar. Unease, enlightenment, and caffeine gently pulsed in my veins. When my friend referred to herself as neurodivergent, I reached out with a “me too” and suggested we get together … Continue reading →

Posted in ADHD, autism, community, compassion, Lent, Mindfulness, Reflections, Stories | Tagged ADHD, autism, Birds on a Wire, diversity, Esther Hizsa, Jerry McFarland, Julie Falk, neurodivergent, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | Leave a comment

It Isn’t That Easy

Posted on March 18, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

It isn’t that easy. Jesus asks, “Are you coming?” I say, “Yes.” And then what? I’m not instantly empowered like a superhero released from the kryptonite of salt and sugar, egoic desires, or negative thoughts. Taking Jesus’ hand won’t prevent … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Lent, Prayer, Reflections, Stories | Tagged Esther Hizsa, Father Damian, feeling our feelings, Isaiah 43:2, John 16:33, just.Luc, kath, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Superhero invasion, waling on water | 1 Comment

Are You Coming?

Posted on March 11, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

I loved the look of satisfaction on Jesus’ face. We just fed five thousand men, plus women and children, with one boy’s lunch of bread and fish. The scene continued to unfold in my imagination as I prayed with this … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Ignatian Spirituality, Lent, Mindfulness, Mystical, Overeating, Prayer, Praying with the Imagination, Reflections, Stories | Tagged 1 Corinthians 10:5, Esther Hizsa, John 6:1-24, limiting beliefs, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Internship | 3 Comments

I Am Fed

Posted on March 4, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

For me, church is often one long exercise of trying to stay present. Multiple times, my mind drifts off like a balloon rising far above the hymns, prayers, and readings. I find it again caught in a zephyr of thoughts … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Poetry, Reflections, Stories | Tagged balloon, Claude St-Denis, Esther Hizsa, Kati Fleming, Krista Tippett, little girl with a balloon, Luke 6:20, Mary Oliver, newly hatched Barn Swallow, On Being, Sharon Salzberg, SoulStream, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, This Morning | 4 Comments

Holding My Tender Heart

Posted on February 11, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

I’ve been afraid of rejectionmy whole life. Then I got rejectedtwicein one day. My head told me not to take it personally.It doesn’t reflect badly on them or me.It’s for the best. I continued on, but when I looked backmy … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged belonging, Centre for Action and Contemplation, diversity, Esther Hizsa, Isaiah 40:11, Jessie Wilcox Smith, Lex McKee, Moonbeams, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Thomas Hawke, Wild Flower Garden, William-Adolphe Bouguereau | Leave a comment

The Journey of an Everyday Pilgrim

Posted on January 21, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

As I was preparing last week’s post, I felt nervous. I loved the concept of becoming more aware of God’s felt presence in my body, but I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to maintain the practice. What if this … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Mindfulness, Reflections, Stories, Writing | Tagged Bowen Island, Camino, Camino de Santiago, Discerning Hearts, Esther Hizsa, Examen, James Martin, Marcin Bajer, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Cloud of Unknowing | 2 Comments

Being Restored by Grace

Posted on January 14, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

I enjoyed a nice break over Christmas and New Year’s. When a heavy snowfall slowed the world down even more, I noticed what it feels like in my body to relax, knowing nothing urgent needs my attention. Now that I’ve … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Mindfulness, Mystical, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged Black-capped chickadee, Cariboo Road Christian Fellowship. Community Fridge, Community fridge, Dawn Perry, Esther Hizsa, Falling Snow, Genesis 2, Matthew 28:20, Ron Bulovs, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Cloud of Unknowing, unending miracle of love, William Johnston | Leave a comment

I Love You. I’m Listening.

Posted on January 7, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

We cannot live our lives constantly looking back, listening back, lest we be turned to pillars of longing and regret, but to live without listening at all is to live deaf to the fullness of the music…. Listen for him. … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Mindfulness, Prayer, Reflections, Resource | Tagged Best Friends, Desmond Tutu, Esther Hizsa, Frederick Buechner, Insight Timer, Julian of Norwich, Loving and Listening to Yourself, New Year's, Sarah Blondin, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Tara Brach, The Sacred Journey, Thomas Leuthard | Leave a comment

As You Step into the New Year

Posted on December 29, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

As 2021 comes to a close, I’m becoming more aware of what I’m leaving behind and what I want to take with me into the New Year. This year we’ve all had significant losses of one kind or another. We’ve … Continue reading →