“Listen to your life. See it for the fathomless mystery that it is. In the boredom and pain of it no less than in the excitement and gladness: touch, taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden heart of it because in the last analysis all moments are key moments, and life itself is […]
Shaw TV Interview – How I became the Life Story Writer
There is no greater gift than sharing the experiences and wisdom of a lifetime with family and friends. How do family members know who they are if they don’t know where they came from – their roots? But the challenge is in getting started.
In his book On Writing Well author William Zinsser said:
One of the saddest sentences I know is “I wish I would have asked my mother about that. Or my father. Or my grandmother, or grandfather”…
It is sometimes difficult to write about yourself in a detached manner that provides an interesting read for others. Many people put off this activity and never find the time. With some encouragement and a good guide, however, it can be a pleasant, rewarding journey to tell your own unique story.
I live on Southern Vancouver Island and can travel to record your memories of past events and the people who have made your life special. In the comfort of your home this process will be relaxing and enjoyable. It will no doubt be fun too. We will add photos and special documents if applicable, and then we will have your story professionally printed. What a gift – for you, your family, the next generations, and friends – can you imagine holding the book in your hands, seeing it on your coffee table, in your bookcase, reading stories to your grandchildren? It will be much cherished.
How often have you wished that your forebears had left written stories of their lives? A family tree may appeal to some, and facts may appeal to others, but stories are how we get to know people and the times in which they lived.
You may not think you have led an exceptional life, but I am sure that through this process, you will end up thinking otherwise. You will have fun, perhaps shed some tears, and remember details you may have forgotten, but overall, you will be thankful that you made this journey into your past. It will be the creation of a special legacy for your sons and daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren, or friends; they will be so grateful that your stories are preserved. Don’t wait – give me a call and let’s get started.
Family and Friends
If you are a family member or friend, here’s the most special gift you will ever find for your loved one. Give the gift of a life story book to a beloved parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle or friend.
Retirement Gift
A book of photos and stories from coworkers makes an amazing and unique retirement gift.
Your Company History
Make it work for you! A short publication packed with personal anecdotes and interesting photographs can be an ideal gift for clients, and a wonderful coffee table book in your office. Highlighting projects and giving clients the opportunity to learn more about the special people who work on them can be a determining factor in developing trust. Posting the business memoir to your website will make your company stand out from all the rest!
Which path shall I choose?
As I walked through the forest this morning I saw the sun shining in a grassy glade nearby. I crunched over the frost hardened grass and admired the sun beam as it lit up the grass like a pathway, level, direct, and over easy ground. The thought occurred to me – wouldn’t it be lovely […]
A not so good day just got a whole lot better
Today was one of those days – “it just sucked.” It sounded good when I said those words out loud, and I could almost taste them through my lips. They were better than any combination of swear words, or a litany of complaints. “Today just sucked.” I said the words again, slowly and loudly, with […]
Kind People – A treasure to encounter
Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving love creates love.” ~Lao Tzu Kind people are around us – they are a treasure to meet! A few weeks ago I had driven for a couple of hours to attend a meeting. I was at an intersection turning off the main […]
If, if, if….Good news, You will still be OK!
“P.S. You’re not going to die. Here’s the white-hot truth: if you go bankrupt, you’ll still be okay. If you lose the gig, the lover, the house, you’ll still be okay. If you sing off-key, get beat by the competition, have your heart shattered, get fired…it’s not going to kill you. Ask anyone who’s been […]
Thank you
“If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough.” Meister Eckhart
Impossible? Or just too hard?
“There are many things that seem impossible only so long as one does not attempt them.” ~ANDRE GIDE French author (1869-1951) Photograph © Janice Henshaw 2016 Oasis in Mojave Desert
Your path – so different from mine
Your path So different from mine Yet together We can offer support In myriad ways. We are like sentinel trees in the forest Each one unique and separate Connected by roots That grow gnarly and strong Able to withstand storms and drought. The light that fosters their growth Can be felt as we walk And […]
Meandering Moments
Last Sunday I was ready for a walk even though it was really cold (for us west coasters that is) and I decided to drive down to Whalebone Road and start from there. It is so much fun to walk somewhere new, enjoying each step, with no particular destination or time limit – without knowing […]
North to Penticton Friday July 27, 2012
The weather forecast for today said it was going to be brutally hot so I decided to take an air-conditioned trip to Penticton.It was a gorgeous drive, around 60km, through Oliver and past the beautiful Skaha Lake, the rich green of orchards and vineyards, and Okanagan Lake. It was like going home for me because […]
To love is what’s important
“It is better to love wisely, no doubt: but to love foolishly is better than not to be able to love at all.” — William Makepeace Thackeray (English novelist of 19th century – Vanity Fair) Thackeray’s quote is delightful! I smiled when I read it. Another quote by Thackeray “The world is a looking glass […]
Joy can find space to enter
Sorrow prepares you for joy. It violently sweeps everything out of your house, so that new joy can find space to enter. It shakes the yellow leaves from the bough of your heart, so that fresh, green leaves can grow in their place. It pulls up the rotten roots, so that new roots hidden beneath […]
Baloo – my navigator
“Baloo”, said the vet “is a mix of lab and shepherd, and who knows what else. If you are interested it’s possible to do a DNA search.” “Are you kidding” I responded, “I just wanted to know the major parts of this Heinz 57 creation because people are always asking me “What’s he made of?” […]
How can you hesitate?
How can you hesitate? Risk! Risk anything! Care no more for the opinion of others, for those voices. Do the hardest thing on earth for you. Act for yourself. Face the truth. -Katherine Mansfield Photo © Janice Henshaw 2014
No time to say goodbye
My Dad was killed in an accident in the forest. It happened two weeks after I had been to visit him on the island where he lived. During our visit I had talked about recording his stories, and he was excited about it. He even had a recorder and asked me to take it to […]
Knowing a place and yourself by walking
“No one can find what will work for our cities by looking at …suburban garden cities, manipulating scale models, or inventing dream cities. You’ve got to get out and walk.” — Jane Jacobs, Downtown is for People, 1957 Walking in cities is good, and true for islands too. You’ve got to get out and walk. […]
Decisions, decisions, decisions…
Having troubles with decisions? Some days it feels like there’s a clear path right in front of us, and then what a bother, just a few feet further on, a whole bunch of boulders jump out and the path is no longer as clear as we might have hoped. We start to feel a little […]
Nests in your hair?
“That the birds of worry and care fly over your head, this you cannot change, but that they build nests in your hair, this you can prevent. ~Chinese proverb Photo © Janice Henshaw 2015
Let it all go…
Sometimes the best thing you can do is sit back close your eyes and let the world go by. Photograph © Janice Henshaw 2014 – Baloo enjoying the sun in PEI
Perspectives – our unique way of seeing the world
Do you ever wonder why life can’t be simpler and slower, flowing like golden honey rather than rushing by like stacatto footsteps? Filled with more optimism good works, friendship, and understanding? Is it our limited perspective that impedes the flow of so many luscious moments? If so, then how can we…smooth out? Perhaps awareness is […]