Category Archives: Stories

Stones, Slivers and Silence

Posted on June 9, 2017 by Esther Hizsa

I love being with people and look forward to social gatherings, but I often come home with a stone in my shoe. When I shake it out and it falls to the floor, I recognize that moment when something went … Continue reading →

Posted in Poverty of Spirit, Reflections | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

The Gift I Received

Posted on May 26, 2017 by Esther Hizsa

During teaching sessions of Living from the Heart, the participants and facilitators sat in a circle. In the centre was a low table adorned with a cross and a candle, and around it were a number of icons, two pictured here. … Continue reading →

Posted in Reflections, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Questioned by a Strawflower

Posted on May 19, 2017 by Esther Hizsa

This week I’ve been away at Living From the Heart. Here is a post I wrote two years ago when I was co-facilitating this course for the first time. Five tight buds, glossy purple lollipops, greeted me as I passed them on my … Continue reading →

Posted in Creation, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Here Be Tigers

Posted on May 12, 2017 by Esther Hizsa

People in authority can make me nervous. I’m always afraid they’ll turn into a tiger, pin me in a corner, and pounce on me for doing something wrong. It doesn’t make a lot of sense. For the most part, the leaders I … Continue reading →

Posted in Childhood, Reflections, Songs, Spiritual Direction, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Aching for More

Posted on May 5, 2017 by Esther Hizsa

It’s Tuesday and I haven’t written Friday’s blog post yet. I’ve finished praying and have nothing scheduled for the rest of the morning; it’s an ideal setting to write. Often the story has already come together, and I just need a chunk … Continue reading →

Posted in Prayer, Reflections, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Christ Behind Me and Before Me

Posted on April 28, 2017 by Esther Hizsa

Recently I received a new awareness that was liberating. Like a pilgrim summiting a mountain pass, I beheld a fresh landscape. Rolling green hills with clusters of trees and fields of wildflowers sprawled out before me. I savoured this new way of being for ten … Continue reading →

Posted in Reflections, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Connected

Posted on April 21, 2017 by Esther Hizsa

I tried to lie back and relax in the underground saltwater pool but whenever I did, I began to drift toward people I didn’t know. I was afraid I’d bump against them and disturb their solace. The Nordik spa in Gatineau, … Continue reading →

Posted in Prayer, Reflections, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Cost of Being Known

Posted on April 7, 2017 by Esther Hizsa

“What was the most memorable meal you ever had?” a friend asked everyone at the dinner table. One by one each person described an experience of eating extravagantly prepared food in an exquisite setting. But it was hard for me to listen. … Continue reading →

Posted in False Self, Lent, Poverty of Spirit, Reflections, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

I Will Love. End of Story.

Posted on March 24, 2017 by Esther Hizsa

A pharisee once asked Jesus which commandment is the greatest.  Jesus said, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Lent, Reflections | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Guides from Beyond

Posted on March 17, 2017 by Esther Hizsa

“What are you feeling?” I ask people when they come for spiritual direction. If they’re experiencing a “negative” emotion, like anger, sadness or disgust, they often want to manage or get rid of it. They don’t like feeling that way. But the wise poet Rumi … Continue reading →

Posted in Lent, Spiritual Direction, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments