Tag Archives: Living from the Heart

Being Vulnerable

Posted on August 13, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

“How can you be so vulnerable?” readers have asked me over the years. That question makes me nervous. Am I too vulnerable? What criticism have I invited? Then I hear from these askers the most common response to my honesty: … Continue reading →

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Wrong Turns

Posted on June 25, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

“Are you okay?” the grey-haired man asked as I propped my bike against a hedge outside his yard. “Yes,” I said continuing to open the map on my phone. “Is this the way to Twin Lakes Road?” “No. You need … Continue reading →

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What Are You Shushing?

Posted on February 26, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

Since my convergence last spring, I’ve lost thirty-four pounds. I’m no longer obese and hover on the edge of a healthy weight for my height. I have begun to enjoy freedoms I haven’t had for a long time–running, sleeping better, … Continue reading →

Posted in Lent, Overeating, Prayer, Reflections, Stories, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Drawing a Path to the Centre

Posted on January 22, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

I once found a labyrinth drawn on the sand at low tide. The couple who created it were delighted that someone came at the right time to enjoy it. I walked the winding path to the centre and out again … Continue reading →

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When You Are In Over Your Head

Posted on November 13, 2020 by Esther Hizsa

“I’m so sorry to hear that,” I said to Sally after she shared the news that her mother was dying. “Don’t worry about the retreat. I’ll find someone to fill in for you.” She’d been looking forward to co-facilitating the … Continue reading →

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How the Light Gets In

Posted on October 23, 2020 by Esther Hizsa

On the afternoon before the opening weekend of Living from the Heart at Bethlehem Centre on Vancouver Island, I took a walk around Westwood Lake to allow my jostled soul to settle. That morning, I’d read the poem Vessel by … Continue reading →

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What Stillness Needs and Offers

Posted on October 16, 2020 by Esther Hizsa

When this post is published, I will be at Bethlehem Centre for the opening weekend of this year’s Living from the Heart. Last year we had a new team, new format, new location, and a new intern. It was also … Continue reading →

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Decomposing

Posted on October 2, 2020 by Esther Hizsa

Where do I need to stay when everything in me wants to flee? As soon as I began asking myself this question, one answer came to me, but I wasn’t brave enough to write about it. Silence. Silence is the … Continue reading →

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Planting Mustard Seeds

Posted on June 5, 2020 by Esther Hizsa

While others have been baking bread or planting gardens during this pandemic, I’ve been focused on Living from the Heart. For the past few months, our team of facilitators has been figuring out Zoom, revising lesson plans, and meeting frequently so … Continue reading →

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Embracing the Power I Have

Posted on May 8, 2020 by Esther Hizsa

If Jesus were my spiritual director and had read Becoming What I Eat and Drink, he wouldn’t ask me about my desire to be Mr. Rogers. He would ask me about the agitation I felt watching that scene from Jesus … Continue reading →

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