Category Archives: Mindfulness

Accident on the Trans Canada Highway near Field, B.C.

Posted on August 12, 2024 by Esther Hizsa

Ten kilometres from our destination, we came to a dead stop. Over the next few hours, the line of stopped vehicles grew from five kilometres to twelve.Emergency vehicles came. A helicopter landed and left. When three tow trucks went by,we … Continue reading →

Posted in Mindfulness, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Accident, Esther Hizsa, Field BC, Hoodoo Campground, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Thomas Merton | 2 Comments

Terrors and Arrows

Posted on July 24, 2024 by Esther Hizsa

You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day.–Psalm 91:5 It happened again and again and again.Moments when my body and mindwere in the same place enjoyingthe taste of freshly picked raspberries,the smell of … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Mindfulness, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Coldstream, Esther Hizsa, Ian Spence, Kalamalka Lake, Lukas Stifter, Psalm 91:5, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Vernon | 6 Comments

I Have Arrived

Posted on July 13, 2024 by Esther Hizsa

It was 38 degrees outside when I entered the cool of the seniors’ residence with a potted cyclamen for my mom. Yvonne, my favourite resident, asks “Do you ever stop?” I could have said, “Yes.” and told her about my quiet times and … Continue reading →

Posted in community, compassion, Mindfulness, Poetry, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged Acts 17:28, Esther Hizsa, faungg's photos, Muurbloem, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Stop running, Stop?, Sylvia Sassen, Thich Naht Hanh | Leave a comment

A Message in Surround Sound

Posted on June 29, 2024 by Esther Hizsa

The odometer on my bike flashes 9999.9. Until it’s reset, it won’t report my distance, time, or average speed– .only how fast I’m going right now. Signs on driveways and outside schoolyardssay, “Slow down.” I notice how long it takes Fred to end … Continue reading →

Posted in community, Mindfulness, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Confessions of a Guilty Bystander, Esther Hizsa, John Reynolds, Please Slow Down, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | Leave a comment

My Peace, I Give You

Posted on June 22, 2024 by Esther Hizsa

You came through locked doors and into our anxious hearts and said, “Peace, be with you.” We passed it off, a greeting. You said it again, “Peace be with you.” And we remembered,You promised to give us your peace otherworldly and unaffected by circumstance.You … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Mindfulness, Mystical, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Door and lock, Esther Hizsa, John 14:27, John 20:19-21, Lawrence OP, Luke 13:18-20, rainy city, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | Leave a comment

Courage and Curiosity

Posted on March 8, 2024 by Esther Hizsa

For my courage is in You, O Love, You who are the Lover hidden in every heart. –Psalm 3:6 Paraphrase by Nan C. Merrill,Psalms for Praying People do things that annoy and disturb us,challenge and hurt us. Sometimes Wisdom says,“Keep your distance.Stay out … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Lent, Mindfulness, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Annoyed, Christopher, Esther Hizsa, Game of chicken, Michael Neel, Nan C. Merrill, Psalm 31-7-8, Psalms for Praying, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | Leave a comment

Mistake

Posted on January 6, 2024 by Esther Hizsa

And now we welcome the new year. Full of things that have never been.–Rainer Maria Rilke It seemed like a good idea at the time.Even afterwardsI could see the gift in it until I saw it through another person’s eyes. … Continue reading →

Posted in ADHD, compassion, Mindfulness, Poetry, Poverty of Spirit, Reflections, Songs | Tagged Esther Hizsa, humility, New Year, Rainer Maria Rilke, Sing Over Me, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Porter's Gate, W.Brown, Zephaniah 3:17 | Leave a comment

Where Peace Finds Me

Posted on December 8, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

I’m waiting for the peace that comes when I know what to do,do it, and nothing goes wrong(or at least the unforeseen is manageable). It doesn’t take much to keep me awake at night,weighing the same optionsover and overand longing for sleep. I’ve … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Christmas, compassion, Mindfulness, Poetry, Reflections, Songs | Tagged Esther Hizsa, Sanctuary Songs, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Porter's Gate, You Are My Sanctuary | 3 Comments

A Little Resurrection

Posted on May 12, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

I was all packed and ready to go. But not quite. I needed to go over a couple of sessions I would lead during the Living from the Heart course one more time. Now I had a spacious hour that … Continue reading →

Posted in Easter, Mindfulness, Prayer, Reflections, Stories | Tagged Allium, Easter, Esther Hizsa, Isaiah 30:15, Living from the Heart, Marcy Leigh, Michael Levine-Clark, Pothos, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | Leave a comment

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 →