Category Archives: Stories

Becoming a Loving Presence in the World

Posted on August 14, 2020 by Esther Hizsa

May I live with integrity as a loving presence in the world. –Nan C. Merrill, Psalms for Praying, An Invitation to Wholeness, Psalm 10. Prayers come and go for me, but these simple words by Nan Merrill have stayed with … Continue reading →

Posted in Creation, Reflections, Stories | Tagged Brooke Hoyer, Capital Regional District, CRD, Esther Hizsa, Frank Ostaseski, Galloping Goose.. E&N, Integrity, Lochside, Louise Docker, Love Heart, loving presence, Martin Luther King Jr, Nan C. Merrill, Setting The Free, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Five Invitations | 2 Comments

In God I Play

Posted on August 7, 2020 by Esther Hizsa

While Fred installed the new radiator, I set out on Gracie to do my first century ride in ten years. The hundred-kilometer route I chose was accessible by public transit which allowed me to get home on my own if … Continue reading →

Posted in Creation, Reflections, Stories | Tagged Acts 17:28, bike camping, biking, Bruce Foster, Esther Hizsa, fujitariuji, Galloping Goose, Gracie, Joe, Kitsalano, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Steveston, Suzanne Simard | Leave a comment

A Big Problem and No Guarantees

Posted on July 31, 2020 by Esther Hizsa

“What’s that?” I said, pointing to the profusion of what first appeared to be dust. Fred turned off the engine. Steam continued to billow out from under the hood, and an “Oh no!” clenched my stomach. We were in Manning … Continue reading →

Posted in Mindfulness, Reflections, Stories | Tagged 105 Hikes In and Around Southwestern British Columbia, anxiety, car troubles, Esther Hizsa, Fred, Manning Park, Mark 4:39, Mt. Hozameen, radiator, Snow Camp, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Stephen Hui | 1 Comment

The Way God Is Transforming Me

Posted on July 24, 2020 by Esther Hizsa

Even your own life is not your business. It is also God’s business. Leave it to God. –Frederick Buechner, Telling Secrets So I left my life in God’s hands and trusted that if I kept listening to God’s still small … Continue reading →

Posted in community, compassion, Reflections, Spiritual Direction, Stories | Tagged Colossians 1:26-27, Esther Hizsa, Esther's collage, Frederick Buechner, God's business, Kristin Neff, Mustard Seed, Radical Compassion, self-compassion, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Telling Secrets, Transformation, Wendy Linnington | 1 Comment

Staying the Course

Posted on July 17, 2020 by Esther Hizsa

It’s been almost three months since my convergence, and I can feel the difference. I fit into clothes I haven’t worn in years and can now bike up Burnaby Mountain and down again in just under an hour. But the … Continue reading →

Posted in Overeating, Prayer, Reflections, Stories | Tagged Chickpea curry, Esther Hizsa, Ignatius of Loyola, Nan C. Merrill, Psalm 10:12, Psalms for Praying, Rule of Life, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Stocksnap, Wallpaper Flare, Yoga with Adriene | 4 Comments

A Free Gift from the Universe

Posted on July 10, 2020 by Esther Hizsa

It’s quiet in my heart these days. I hear the urgent faintly in the distance, but it’s easily ignored. My “work” is to bike or walk somewhere each day and fit everything else around it. The movie I’m living could … Continue reading →

Posted in Reflections | Tagged Annie Dillard, Esther Hizsa, Fred Hizsa, full moon, John Lodder, Kristen Bryant, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, See a penny, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | 1 Comment

Fear and Grace

Posted on July 3, 2020 by Esther Hizsa

As soon as we gathered on the screen, I felt nervous. Insecurity jumbled my words and hid others. The twelve faces in front of me belonged to the facilitators of Living from the Heart, and I was in charge of … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Reflections, Stories | Tagged Black Lives Matter, Dr. Tiffany Jana, Esther Hizsa, Jessie Wilcox Smith, Measuring Up, Nan C. Merrill, Psalm 7:1-2, Psalms for Praying, racism, Sounds True, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, TMI, woodleywonderworks | Leave a comment

Inside a Living Temple

Posted on June 26, 2020 by Esther Hizsa

“If your body is a living temple, you are inside that temple,” Donna Varnau said near the end of our guided meditation. I rested in my body-temple with deep gratitude. The belief that God is incarnate in all things is … Continue reading →

Posted in Mindfulness, Prayer, Reflections, Stories | Tagged 1 Corinthians 6:19, Donna Varnau, Esther Hizsa, Focusing. Full Body Presence, Judith Blackstone, Michael Pravin, Namaste, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Yoga | 1 Comment

Stepping into This Moment

Posted on June 19, 2020 by Esther Hizsa

To live mindfully in the present, I have to slow down and take deliberate steps. First, there is an awakening to this moment and noticing what is in it and me–what I see, feel, and think. I observe myself and … Continue reading →

Posted in Mindfulness, Reflections | Tagged Embers: One Ojibway's Meditations, Esther Hizsa, hand in Wild Grass, Jonathan Emmanuel Flores Tarello, lloyd Morgan, Nan C. Merrill, Psalm 23, Psalms for Praying, Richard Wagamese, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Walkers!!! Ruun!!! | Leave a comment

Grace and Practice of the Present Moment

Posted on June 12, 2020 by Esther Hizsa

Living in the present moment is a contemplative practice that has been difficult for me. You’ve heard me struggle with this in my blog posts. I am as addicted to thinking as I am to food. I’m constantly thinking about … Continue reading →