Category Archives: Reflections

Glory Led Me Here

Posted on February 12, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

The last blossom on my Christmas cactus fell weeks ago. For forty days vibrant pink glory adorned the room where I pray, write, and offer spiritual direction. But now that glory is gone. I think of the Israelites. For forty years they beheld … Continue reading →

Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Lent, Mystical, Reflections | Tagged A Life of Being Having and Doing Enough, Anthony de Mello, Christmas Cactus, Esther Hizsa, glory, John 8:32, Kinshuk Sunil, Kite, Promised Land, spiritual direction, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Coquitlam, this breath, Until now, Wayne Muller | 8 Comments

DIY Prayer Retreat #6: Praying with Our Senses at the Beginning of a New Year

Posted on February 4, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

Nearly every month I gather with friends for a silent retreat. It has been a rich experience. I explained how it works here. Thanks to Ann Green, who helped me put this retreat together. Supplies needed: Jelly Bellies (5 per person) … Continue reading →

Posted in Prayer, Prayer Retreat Outline, Reflections, Resource | Tagged Abbey of the Arts, Anne Yungwirth, Beau Considine, Christine Valters Paintner, Esther Hizsa, First Bird Back, Gemma Rest, Gemma Trust, Gerald Manley Hopkins, Goldfinch, House Finch, Isaiah 43:16-19, Jelly Bellies, leaf, Living from the Heart, Lulu Lovering, Matthew 4:18-22, Pied Beauty, Psalm 34:8, seved mostafa zamani, SoulStream, spiritual direction, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Coquitlam, Splash, The Artist's Rule, Visio Divina, Wicked Sushi | 1 Comment

Enough

Posted on January 15, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

“My husband and I met with our financial advisor,” a friend said at a New Year’s Eve party. “He told us we’ve saved enough money, and we should start spending it.” After a life of carefully saving for retirement, she could hardly … Continue reading →

Posted in Christmas, Mystical, Reflections | Tagged a lot of dollars, Ecclesiastes 4:6, enough, Esther Hizsa, Feather, Isaiah 62:1, Jim Champion, pile of money, Reynermedia, Richard Rohr, spiritual direction, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Coquitlam | 1 Comment

Epiphany

Posted on January 8, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

Mid-November one lone blossom adorned my Christmas cactus. By Advent it was fuller than ever. It continued to blossom during the Christmas season and into Epiphany. Directees commented on it when they came, and I sat beside this bush, which was burning with … Continue reading →

Posted in Christmas, Popular Posts, Reflections | Tagged A Life of Being Having and Doing Enough, Christmas Cactus, epiphany, Esther Hizsa, Schlumbergera, Song of Solomon 2:14, Song of Songs 2;14, spiritual direction, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Wayne Muller | 5 Comments

A New Year’s Wish

Posted on January 1, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

It’s a new year, and I would love to leave my old identity behind. Remember in “Undoing My Life” God asked me to let go of my identity as the Rejected One? That undoing continues whenever I feel rejected. I hate it when that happens. I … Continue reading →

Posted in autism, Reflections, Spiritual Direction, Stories | Tagged Esther Hizsa, Isaiah 43:2, Luke 1:26-38, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, St. John the Baptist Anglican church Ashford NSW, The Good Shepherd | 5 Comments

“Oh, No!”

Posted on November 13, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

When our grandson was a preschooler, he loved to line up his toy cars on the coffee table. He and his dad would drive them around imitating the sounds of engines starting, horns beeping and tires squealing. Inevitably, they would … Continue reading →

Posted in Popular Posts, Reflections | Tagged car crash, Donald Lee Pardue, Esther Hizsa, fear, grief, loss, madais, Nan C. Merrill, psalm 91, Psalms for Praying, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Stone Angel | 3 Comments

Pilgrim in a Dark Wood

Posted on September 11, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

From the crest of the hill, I could see my book aglow in the distance, ready to be purchased at a click. But to get there I would have to travel through the dreaded Valley of Publication. Thankfully, I found good companions … Continue reading →

Posted in Reflections | Tagged Andrea Dunbar, Christian Gauthier, Dark Autumn Woods, Esther Hizsa, Foggy Forest, Isaiah 42:16, Jayber Crow, love mischief, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Stories of an Everyday Pilgrim, Wendell Berry | 1 Comment

A Deep Wisdom

Posted on September 4, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

Publishing the posts Being “That Woman” and God in the Dark: Theory left me feeling quite vulnerable to people’s reactions. Reason reminded me that God was with me, and I would be fine. But the little girl in me saw thick walls of … Continue reading →

Posted in Reflections | Tagged Basheer Tome, Dustin Gaffke, Esther Hizsa, Ethical Bean Coffee, Golden Coast, Julian of Norwich, Kim Schachte, Lloyd Bernhardt, Nan C. Merrill, Psalms for Praying, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Stories of an Everyday Pilgrim, Wave Coast, Wonderlane | 1 Comment

Being “That Woman”

Posted on August 14, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

Am I afraid to be ordinary? It’s fun watching people who don’t know me come alive when I give a talk or facilitate a group. Before that moment, I blend into the crowd (in the photo above, I’m the short one in … Continue reading →

Posted in Poverty of Spirit, Reflections | Tagged Brene Brown, Daring Greatly, Dustin Gaffke, Ecclesiasticus 14:2, Esther Hizsa, fear of being ordinary, man fully alive, Martin Hricko, narcissism, Philippians 4:19, Psalm 139:13-14, Pure Joy, Rumi, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, the golden dream, The Guest House | 5 Comments

God Is So Beautiful

Posted on July 3, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

“Ever since I was twelve years old, I have been deeply moved by beauty,” a friend wrote in response to a recent post. “When I take my morning coffee out onto the back deck, I am surrounded by so many shades of … Continue reading →