Category Archives: Mindfulness

Expanding and Contracting

Posted on May 6, 2025 by Esther Hizsa

Once the crowd realized that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus.–John 6:24 I was in the crowd sitting on that grassy hillside. You fed us bread … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Mindfulness, Mystical, Poetry, Prayer, Praying with the Imagination, Reflections, Stories | Tagged Contract, Earhworm, Esther Hizsa, Expand, Feeding of Five Thousand, How Healing Comes, Ignatian Spiritual Excercises, John 6, Living from the Heart, Ostaleri, pcstratman, Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer, SoulStream, Spiritual Director North Okanagan, Spiritual Director Vernon | Leave a comment

Signs of Resurrection

Posted on April 26, 2025 by Esther Hizsa

On Sunday morning while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. –John 20:1 (CEV) The first sign of Christ’s resurrection came early.I recognized it when … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Easter, Mindfulness, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Dances of Universal Peace, Easter, Esther Hizsa, Fill your cup, gerbera, Ignatian Spiritual Excercises, jeiline, Living from the Heart, Nan C. Merrill, Psalm 9, resurrection, SoulStream, Spiritual Director North Okanagan, Spiritual Director Vernon, Vitya_maly | Leave a comment

A Poem, Prayer and Song for Earth Day

Posted on April 22, 2025 by Esther Hizsa

Awakening I remember the momentI stood by the oceanand heard You whisper,in each wave that encircled my feet,that the earth on which I stoodand everything in itis Your body. The air I breatheis Your breath,the sand, Your skin,the love You … Continue reading →

Posted in Creation, Mindfulness, Poetry, Reflections, Songs | Tagged Awakening, Canon Beach, Earth Day, Esther Hizsa, Ignatian Spiritual Excercises, Living from the Heart, Randy Hausken, Rhapsody of Rest, Sara Thomsen, SoulStream, Spiritual Director North Okanagan, Spiritual Director Vernon, Tjflex2, Tulips from my garden | 2 Comments

We Need the Mind of Christ

Posted on March 28, 2025 by Esther Hizsa

We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.–Albert Einstein What if I start with “we”?I didn’t create the problems the world faces, not on my own. But I do have an impact, good … Continue reading →

Posted in autism, compassion, Lent, Mindfulness, Reflections | Tagged Book of Hours, Esther Hizsa, Ginny, I Corinthians 2:16, Ignatian Spiritual Excercises, Living from the Heart, Mustang Joe, SoulStream, Spiritual Director North Okanagan, Spiritual Director Vernon, The Book of Hours, The Thinker | Leave a comment

Plan A

Posted on March 15, 2025 by Esther Hizsa

I was invited into the desert with You,led there by the Spiritinto a barren placewith no food. You were temptedto turn stones into bread.You could have done it,but you refused. If I could have,I would have.Why wait for God to … Continue reading →

Posted in Lent, Mindfulness, Poetry, Praying with the Imagination, Reflections | Tagged Alfred Stieglitz, Esther Hizsa, Georgia O'Keeffe, Ignatian Spiritual Excercises, Lawrence OP, Living from the Heart, Nan C. Merrill, Patience, Psalm 3, SoulStream, Spiritual Director North Okanagan, Spiritual Director Vernon, stones into bread, temptation in wilderness, waiting | Leave a comment

As a New Year Begins

Posted on January 3, 2025 by Esther Hizsa

I’m more than a little nervousof what this new year might hold–so many uncertainties. There’s no safety foundin settling intowhat I can lose–my things, my body, my mind, my loves–though I won’t stop trying,and they need tending. It’s good to … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Mindfulness, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Arman Dzaferagic, Cardinal, Esther Hizsa, Ignatian Spiritual Excercises, Janet H, Living from the Heart, Nan C. Merrill, Psalm 34:19-22, Psalms for Praying, SoulStream, Spiritual Director North Okanagan, Spiritual Director Vernon | 4 Comments

The Patience to Wait

Posted on November 9, 2024 by Esther Hizsa

Do you have the patience to waittill your mud settles and the water is clear?Can you remain unmovingtill the right action arises by itself?― Lao tzu, Chinese philopsopher, 6th century BC El-roi, the God who sees me sees me trying … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Mindfulness, Poetry, Poverty of Spirit, Reflections, Stories | Tagged Alistair Nicol, Blue Heron, El-roi, Esther Hizsa, Genesis 16:13, Ignatian Spiritual Excercises, Isaiah 30:15, IShutterToThink, Living from the Heart, Patience, SoulStream, Spiritual Director North Okanagan, Spiritual Director Vernon | Leave a comment

Return to Your Rest

Posted on October 5, 2024 by Esther Hizsa

I really wish I could wake up grounded,walk through the day with ease,and be content with what comes. It’s not how my life goes most days. But I can returnand find rest for my soul, for You are beside me,always within me. … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Mindfulness, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Alice Popkorn, Bark Cabin Natural Area, Esther Hizsa, Loneliness, Nicholas A Tonelli, Psalm 116:7, Spiritual Director Vernon | 4 Comments

Present Moment, Wonderful Moment

Posted on September 13, 2024 by Esther Hizsa

For so longI focussed on doing important things,prioritizing one activity over anotherand resenting ordinary, necessary tasks–cooking, cleaning, check-ups, and paying bills. Then, I kept company with folks even older than me.They helped me slow downand be present to where I … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, community, compassion, Mindfulness, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Autumn is coming, Esther Hizsa, Laatste blauwtjes.., present moment, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Sylvia Sassen, Thich Nhat Hanh, wonderful moment | 1 Comment

The Gift of Awareness

Posted on September 6, 2024 by Esther Hizsa

On a beautiful daywhen nothing was going wronganxiety showed up,just in case I needed it, I suppose. I scanned my life to see what I was concerned about.Nothing.Then disappointment showed up–disappointment that I couldn’t enjoy the daywithout this annoying “friend” … Continue reading →