Category Archives: Mindfulness

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 →

Posted in Mindfulness, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Anthony de Mello, anxiety, awareness, black clouds, Esther Hizsa, Helen Haden, screen door, spiritual director Burnaby | Leave a comment

The Way to Begin Anything

Posted on August 30, 2024 by Esther Hizsa

The way we would begin in prayer is that we belong to God. And all the prayer starts and unfolds out of that knowing that we belong to God. We are trying to get past the topic of prayer to … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Mindfulness, Poetry, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged A Coaching Session on Lectio, Conal Gallagher, Ernest Hawkes, Esther Hizsa, Jim Finley, Morning Sun, Parker Palmer, Psalm 121:1-2, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Thomas Merton, Vernon BC | Leave a comment

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 →