Category Archives: Humour

Christmas: As Is

Posted on December 24, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

I wonder if Joseph was peevedwhen Mary, between contractions,ordered him to close the doorthen,as soon as he did,wanted it open again. I wonder if,in that chorus of angels,one or two sang flatand if some shepherds,feeling and smelling sheepish,were hesitant to go. I wonder if–after Mary gave … Continue reading →

Posted in Christmas, Humour, Poetry, Popular Posts | Tagged Christmas as is, Christmas poem, Esther Hizsa, Franz Mayer, Neil Merton, Plum leaves, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Nativity | Leave a comment

Doing Things that Don’t Spark Joy

Posted on October 29, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

I tend to avoid doing things that don’t spark joy. These jobs end up at the bottom of my To Do list and don’t make a fuss until a deadline pinches them and they squeal. I groan. Oh bother. Do … Continue reading →

Posted in Humour, Mindfulness, Reflections, Songs, Stories, Writing | Tagged Carrie Newcomer, Esther Hizsa, Holy as the Day Is Spent, Housework again, Jesus collecting the disciples, Luke 5:2, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, the Italian voice | Leave a comment

Stop Teaching a Pig to Sing

Posted on September 10, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

“Don’t teach a pig to sing. It wastes your time and irritates the pig.” I read that quote in Anthony de Mello’s little book Rediscovering Life: Awaken to Reality right after I wrote last week’s blog post. Tony’s words woke … Continue reading →

Posted in Humour, Reflections | Tagged Anthony de Mello, Awaken to Reality, awareness, BrotherM, Esther Hizsa, happy pig, Ignatius of Loyola, James Finley, Jesus, John 15: 11, John of the Cross, Let Go, Philippians 4: 11-13, Philippians 4:7, piglet lying down, Rediscovering Life, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Tambako the Jaguar | Leave a comment

Arms Wide Open

Posted on October 18, 2019 by Esther Hizsa

Last week I was in Cochrane, Alberta attending a week-long course for spiritual directors. The first night I anticipated the Will-I-fit-in? jitters, but instead, I found myself unconcerned about whether I belonged or not. I was beginning to relax into … Continue reading →

Posted in Childhood, community, Humour, Reflections, Spiritual Direction, Stories, Writing | Tagged Community meal, Esther Hizsa, Lucy Abbott Tucker, Matthew, Psalm 17:8, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, spirtual direction, St. Stephen the Martyr Anglican Church | 4 Comments

Seed Is Born

Posted on October 4, 2019 by Esther Hizsa

“Think of a situation that takes up considerable time and energy,” Jeff Imbach said to the participants at the Living from the Heart intensive last week. We were at Rivendell Retreat Center on Bowen Island, sitting in a circle, opening … Continue reading →

Posted in Humour, Prayer, Reflections, Seed Cracked Open, Spiritual Direction | Tagged Esther Hizsa, Jeff Imbach, KDP, Living from the Heart, Psalm 139:14-16, Seed Cracked Open, SoulStream, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | 1 Comment

A Step of Faith

Posted on September 27, 2019 by Esther Hizsa

I promised you that I would wear an orange shirt on Orange Shirt Day before I owned one. That made me nervous. I could have ordered a shirt specially made for that day, but the shipping was expensive, and I … Continue reading →

Posted in Humour, Reflections, Seed Cracked Open, Stories | Tagged Bases Thrift Store, Esther Hizsa, Foggy Mountain, Hebrews 11:1, Lauri Sten, leap of faith, Mary Harrsh, Orphan Aid Thrift, Ruth Monette, Seed Cracked Open, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | 2 Comments

Christmas: As Is

Posted on December 25, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

I wonder if Joseph was peeved when Mary, between contractions, ordered him to close the door then, as soon as he did, wanted it open again. I wonder if, in that chorus of angels, one or two sang flat and if some shepherds –feeling … Continue reading →

Posted in Christmas, Humour, Poetry, Popular Posts | Tagged Christmas poem, Esther Hizsa, Franz Mayer, Joe Buckingham, Plum leaves, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Nativity | Leave a comment

God in the Dark: Practice

Posted on August 28, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

Here is the sequel to last week’s story, “God in the Dark: Theory,” which took place seven years ago while I was taking SoulStream’s Art of Spiritual Direction course. After my spiritual direction session in class, I felt light. That picture of … Continue reading →

Posted in Humour, Stories, Stories of an Everyday Pilgrim | Tagged Abbotsford, Dewolfs, Esther Hizsa, Flat, God in the Dark: Practice, Most friendly bus driver in Vancouver, Sanpani, SouStream, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | 4 Comments

Surfin’ USA

Posted on August 7, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

Here’s a story I wrote a few years ago that was published in the MB Herald. It’s also in my book, Stories of an Everyday Pilgrim, which will be available this fall. Fred and I sat contented on the beach and listened to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Humour, Stories, Stories of an Everyday Pilgrim | Tagged Dustin Gaffke, Esther Hizsa, Fred Hizsa, Harry Frehner, Manzanita, Oswald West State Park, Paul Hamilton, Ron Frehner, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, surfing | 3 Comments

Judgment Day

Posted on February 28, 2014 by Esther Hizsa

I couldn’t believe my eyes. I got off the scale and on it again. The reading was the same. It’s been months since I’ve been to the gym. I knew I’d gained weight, but this was ten more pounds than … Continue reading →