Category Archives: Stories

Five Hundred

Posted on February 18, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

five hundred postsover almost nine years one hundred and three months oflistening and feeling naming and holdingwhat I experience on my pilgrimage of life weekly episodes of reality TVhonouring what is and what isn’tsharing our common humanityand the love mischief of … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry, Reflections | Tagged 500 posts, Cirque Peak, Esther Hizsa, fireworks, Fred, Gracie, Lion's Gate Bridge, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | 4 Comments

Holding My Tender Heart

Posted on February 11, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

I’ve been afraid of rejectionmy whole life. Then I got rejectedtwicein one day. My head told me not to take it personally.It doesn’t reflect badly on them or me.It’s for the best. I continued on, but when I looked backmy … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged belonging, Centre for Action and Contemplation, diversity, Esther Hizsa, Isaiah 40:11, Jessie Wilcox Smith, Lex McKee, Moonbeams, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Thomas Hawke, Wild Flower Garden, William-Adolphe Bouguereau | Leave a comment

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

What Are You Waiting For?

Posted on December 17, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

I see in your soulwhat’s mirrored in mine.You’re waiting too for the pandemic to endto see everyone’s facesno proof required for the pain to stopthe days to get longerthe path to be clear for stuff to stop shaking up our … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Advent, dog in a manger, Dogs in waiting, Esther Hizsa, How the Light Comes, Jackie Bouchard, Jan L. Richardson, Jürgen Mangelsdorf, manger, Raj Deut, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, waiting | Leave a comment

Someone You Know but Never Met

Posted on December 10, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

The Canadian province of British Columbia on the Pacific coast declared a state of emergency on November 17 following massive floods and landslides caused by record-breaking rainfall in the previous several days. Four people have died as well as over … Continue reading →