Category Archives: Mindfulness

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

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

My Wild and Precious Life

Posted on February 4, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

Greg McKeown’s book Essentialism gave me the courage to schedule more time for writing. My third book won’t get published if I keep trying to fit it in around everything else. “Everything else” includes my non-negotiables–spending time with family and … Continue reading →

Posted in Mindfulness, Reflections, Writing | Tagged Essentialism, Esther Hizsa, Everything Is Figureoutable, Frederick Brotherton Meyer, Greg McKeown, Marie Forleo, Mary Oliver, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Sue Monk Kidd, The Book of Longings | 2 Comments

Taking Time to Discern

Posted on January 28, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

I heard it again as I signed onto Zoom. A heaviness in my chest said, I don’t want to do this. The leader of the Bible study greeted me as names appeared in squares, then faces. I felt a deep … Continue reading →

Posted in Mindfulness, Prayer, Reflections, Stories | Tagged discernment, Essentialism, Esther Hizsa, Greg McKeown, Guide to discernment, Heart's Desire, Mike Beales, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Ted Rheingold, Thich Nhat Hanh, Which way to Artlegarth | 1 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 →

Posted in Christmas, compassion, Mindfulness, Prayer, Prayer Retreat Outline, Reflections, Resource | Tagged breath prayer, centering prayer, chair yoga, compline, Contemplative Outreach, Esther Hizsa, Michał Koralewski, New Year, New Year meditation, New Year reflection, Pema Chödrön, Rachael Moore, RAIN, Revelation 21:5, self-compassion, Sherry Zak Morris, snow angel, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Tara Brach, Tonglen, Valarie Kaur, vegan food, walk away, Yoga with Adriene | 1 Comment

A Quarter Turn

Posted on December 3, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

I suddenly knew I was looking at it from the wrong angle, and I gave the cloth in my hand a quarter turn. Immediately I saw a beautiful and coherent golden pattern…. In wonder, the pattern had emerged, to be … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Mindfulness, Reflections, Spiritual Direction, Stories | Tagged Advent, Esther Hizsa, Helen Luke, James Finley, Jürgen Mangelsdorf, Luke 1:39-45, Luke 1:46-49, Matthew 1:18-25, Quarter Turn, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, St. John of the Cross, Such Stuff as Dreams Are Made On, The Dark Night of the Soul, Tristan Unrau, Weaving | Leave a comment

Horizons

Posted on November 19, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

What happened was so subtle I almost missed it. Every once in a while, I’m asked to preach at my church. After I finished writing my homily for Sunday, I joined Fred for a walk. I shared with him what … Continue reading →