Tag Archives: Esther Hizsa

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

Christmas: As Is

Posted on December 24, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

I wonder if Joseph was peevedwhen Mary, between contractions,ordered him to close the doorthen,as soon as he did,wanted it open again. I wonder if,in that chorus of angels,one or two sang flatand if some shepherds,feeling and smelling sheepish,were hesitant to go. I wonder if–after Mary gave … Continue reading →

Posted in Christmas, Humour, Poetry, Popular Posts | Tagged Christmas as is, Christmas poem, Esther Hizsa, Franz Mayer, Neil Merton, Plum leaves, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Nativity | Leave a 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 →

Posted in Advent, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Advent, death toll animals, Drew Brayshaw, Esther Hizsa, flood in Abbotsford, Jürgen Mangelsdorf, Mary Wolfe, Singing Shall Be My LIght, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Third Sunday in Advent | 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

Being the Odd One Out

Posted on November 26, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

Finally, I thought as I placed a mat in front of our door. Now our doorway matched the other three that open onto the breezeway. We are no longer the odd one out. On a Zoom call that week, a … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Reflections, Stories | Tagged Advent, Airwolfhound, Annunciation, Brené Brown, Esther Hizsa, Henri Nouwen, Jürgen Mangelsdorf, John 15:9, Luke 1:26-38, Luke 1:28, Luke 3:22, Odd One Out, Puffin Island, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Gifts of Imperfection | 1 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 →

Posted in Mindfulness, Reflections, Stories | Tagged Adam Hinett, Bishop John Stephens, CUPE, Esther Hizsa, Horizon, Likely Hills, patrice photographiste, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Trans Day of Remembrance, Transgender flag | Leave a comment

You Are Worthy to Leave This Sadness

Posted on November 12, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

He Desired Me So I Came Close No one can near God unless He has prepared a bed for you. A thousand souls hear His call every second, but most every one then looks into their life’s mirror and says, … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Mystical, Poetry, Prayer, Stories | Tagged Advent, Advent Morning Retreat, Annunciation, Audrey Hoehn, Birds on a Wire, Brent Unrau, Daniel Ladinsky, Esther Hizsa, He Desired Me Sio I Came Close, Julie Falk, Love Poems from God, Open Gate, SoulStream, spiritual direction, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Teresa of Avila, Tym | 2 Comments

I Want to See

Posted on November 5, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

“If a man [or woman] born blind were told about the nature of the colour yellow, he would understand absolutely nothing, no matter how much instruction he received. Since he never saw these colours, nor their like, he would not … Continue reading →

Posted in Mindfulness, Mystical, Popular Posts, Poverty of Spirit, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged Climate change, Esther Hizsa, Fr Lawrence Lew O.P., Fr.Marko Rupnik, Jesus healing the blind man, Katharine Hayhoe, Krista Tippett, On Being, Saving Us, spiritual director Burnaby | Leave a comment

Doing Things that Don’t Spark Joy

Posted on October 29, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

I tend to avoid doing things that don’t spark joy. These jobs end up at the bottom of my To Do list and don’t make a fuss until a deadline pinches them and they squeal. I groan. Oh bother. Do … Continue reading →