Tag Archives: spiritual director Vancouver

In the Heart of the Beloved

Posted on May 20, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

When readers open my new book, I invite them to open it up and flip it over. In the introduction, I wrote: Look at the whole cover. Take in the beauty of the image: vibrant pink, glowing edges, green stem, … Continue reading →

Posted in In the Heart of the Beloved, Poetry, Reflections, Stories, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Gift

Posted on May 13, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

“Love you,” one of my beloveds said. I held these two wordsin disbelief and wonder.I wasn’t expecting a hug goodbyeor even a glance back.That didn’t meanI wasn’t hoping for it.Now, I was holding the giftI’d wanted for so long. For … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Release, Receive and Return

Posted on May 6, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

For days after I heard how my words wounded another, I was visited with the recurring judgment that I was a bad person, an unsafe person. I was shrouded in shame until God found me through a Lenten reflection on … Continue reading →

Posted in Easter, False Self, Poetry, Reflections, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Playing My Hand

Posted on April 29, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

Once I acknowledged that I was on the ADHD spectrum, I saw things I could do to make life easier for myself and those around me. For example, I stuck a post-it note on the inside of our front door: … Continue reading →

Posted in ADHD, Advent, Aging, Mindfulness, Reflections, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Honouring Our Elders

Posted on April 22, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

We humans are the young ones,the last to be createdlong days after the earth, mountains, seas, and trees. What might we learn from our elders whoawaken us with birdsong,feed us with nuts and berries, comfort us with their soft fur, enliven … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Creation, Justice, Reflections | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Resurrection Is Personal

Posted on April 17, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

Resurrectionisn’t just about living forever.It’s about living nowand how we pick up our cross,go through deathand becomea new revised version of ourselves.Resurrection is personal. This Easter, I entered the tombafter denying Christ in me three times.Three times I was Judas. … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Easter, Holy Week, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

This Good Friday

Posted on April 15, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

Crucifixion by Ukrainian artist Natalya Rusetskain You take in all our sufferingfeelevery violent act every hope destroyedeach final breath. From the crossyou seethrough our denialand delusions.No justification dares return your gaze. From the crossyour eyesfind ours. In them, we seeloveforgivenessGod with … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Easter, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

The Standoff

Posted on April 8, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

Such a familiar place,this standoff betweenthe part of me that wants to andthe part that doesn’t I can list all the good reasons why I need to do thisbut something in me has shut the door leans her body against it and yells, … Continue reading →

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

Left-Handed in a Right-Handed World

Posted on April 1, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

I do that, I thought. And that. And that sounds familiar. Unease, enlightenment, and caffeine gently pulsed in my veins. When my friend referred to herself as neurodivergent, I reached out with a “me too” and suggested we get together … Continue reading →

Posted in ADHD, autism, community, compassion, Lent, Mindfulness, Reflections, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Certainty and Clarity

Posted on March 25, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

We are gathered in a circle,and a question isplaced before us. Memories comevivid and sharpof feelingweighted by expectationconfined by shouldsinadequate when I failed. I sense  a groaning, a churninga pushing againsta wanting release. I give words to my nocertainthat it’s the … Continue reading →

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