The Life Story Writer
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  • The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely, or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quite alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy amidst the simple beauty of nature. …I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles.

    – Anne Frank

    Sunset Malaspina Gallery Park (1 of 1)
  • Away from the tumult of motor and mill

    I want to be care-free; I want to be

    still!

    I’m weary of doing things; weary of

    words

    I want to be one with the blossoms

    and birds.

    – Edgar A. Guest

    butterfly on lilac
  • There is something of the marvelous in all things of nature.

    – Aristotle

    arbutus tree reduced size
  • There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”

    – Albert Einstein

    Full moon Drumbeg Park May14 2014JH (1 of 1)
  • Look!
    Look!
    Look deep into nature and you will understand everything.

    – Albert Einstein

    Eagle (1 of 1)
  • Sunset Malaspina Gallery Park (1 of 1)

    The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely, or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quite alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy amidst the simple beauty of nature. …I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles.

    – Anne Frank

  • butterfly on lilac

    Away from the tumult of motor and mill

    I want to be care-free; I want to be

    still!

    I’m weary of doing things; weary of

    words

    I want to be one with the blossoms

    and birds.

    – Edgar A. Guest

  • arbutus tree reduced size

    There is something of the marvelous in all things of nature.

    – Aristotle

  • Full moon Drumbeg Park May14 2014JH (1 of 1)

    There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”

    – Albert Einstein

  • Eagle (1 of 1)

    Look!
    Look!
    Look deep into nature and you will understand everything.

    – Albert Einstein

Let’s begin the journey today!A Life Story is a Gift…

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!

  • A cup of java on a rainy day

    Posted on November 10, 2013 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    “Have you found that you are growing both more tolerant AND more discerning as you get older? We grow tolerant because we see that life evens things out…On the other hand, we grow more discerning as well, as we realize that our time is precious…” Jennifer Boykin Creator and CEO lifeaftertampons.com

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  • Almost 2,400 years ago

    Posted on October 22, 2013 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    Almost 2,400 years ago Aristotle identified effective values in living a good life, strength of character that include honestly, kindness, self-control, and courage. The “good life,” according to Aristotle, is defined by acting in accordance with these values – which he called virtue- over and above the influence of fleeting feelings and desires. All decisions […]

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  • Sun shining through maples

    Posted on November 4, 2013 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, magic, and power in it. Begin it now. Goethe

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  • Grumbling…it’s a practice

    Posted on November 6, 2016 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    “Unquestionably, there are sad things in the world right now… but grumbling doesn’t make anything better. In fact, it makes things worse. The Buddha taught, ‘Every mind moment conditions the next.’ Grumbling gets the mind bogged down in the weariness of its own story. Happiness pulls it back out and gets it going again.” ~Sylvia […]

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  • Knowing a place and yourself by walking

    Posted on May 8, 2016 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    “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. […]

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  • Heading down the road to who knows where?

    Posted on November 6, 2013 by Janice Henshaw in The Vagabond Girl - Travel Stories

    July 7, 2012 It’s late on Saturday afternoon, and I decided it was time to go out exploring. First, I drove to Lizard Lake campground and found out that what used to be a Texas Mickey challenge for young Port Renfrew teenagers is now a well-marked trail all around the lake. We set off into […]

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  • Christmas and moving – just moments in time

    Posted on December 20, 2014 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    Today while packing for a move to new digs, I was listening to K.D Lang sing these hauntingly beautiful words: “Once there was a way to get back home again.” With Christmas just around the corner, it made me think about home and wonder if there ever really is a way to get back home. […]

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  • Being happy – such a gift

    Posted on August 21, 2015 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    “There is no duty we so much underrate as the duty of being happy. By being happy we sow anonymous benefits upon the world.” Robert Louis Stevenson It’s so easy to be unhappy… and there are so many reasons that can be marshalled to justify such a demeanor. But oh, what a gift to be […]

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  • Backing up – it’s not as easy as it looks

    Posted on January 7, 2014 by Janice Henshaw in The Vagabond Girl - Travel Stories

    I did it. I packed up all my goodies, stowed everything away, followed my step by step “Pack up the trailer” instructions that I had written out, took several deep breaths, and then started driving around the campground, and practiced backing up the trailer. Having never done this before I realized right away that it’s […]

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  • Courage is the quiet voice

    Posted on March 26, 2017 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    “Courage doesn’t always roar, sometimes courage is the quiet voice a the end of the day saying, I will try again tomorrow.” ~Mary Anne Radmacher Courage is the quiet little voice that says I can make it through this I can hold on for an hour If not an hour, then for sure five minutes […]

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  • “Whole against the sky”

    Posted on July 21, 2014 by Janice Henshaw in Meditative Reflections and Photos

    Once the realization is accepted that even between the closest human beings infinite distances continue, a wonderful living side by side can grow, if they succeed in loving the distance between them which makes it possible for each to see the other whole against the sky. Rainer Maria Rilke Photos © Janice Henshaw

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  • About me – the lifestorywriter

    Posted on October 20, 2013 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Life Stories

    About Me – The Life Story Writer I am a professional writer with a Bachelor’s degree specializing in English and Business Administration. My name is Janice Henshaw and I live on Vancouver Island. Here are a  a few other facts about me. A business woman – An Executive Director for ten years so I have […]

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  • Pure Concentration

    Posted on June 20, 2016 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    Pure concentration A state of inner calm so deep that all external cues and annoying trivia fades away. The body and mind relax and disappear together into a deeply focused state experiencing confidence and an abiding sense of contentment. ~Janice Henshaw Photograph © Janice Henshaw 2016

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  • Your path – so different from mine

    Posted on November 27, 2015 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    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 […]

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  • A Rule for Every Decision of the Future

    Posted on December 5, 2014 by Janice Henshaw in Meditative Reflections and Photos

    “Then and there I invented this rule for myself to be applied to every decision I might have to make in the future. I would sort out all the arguments and see which belonged to fear and which to creativeness, and other things being equal I would make the decision which had the larger number […]

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  • Early morning light on bamboo

    Posted on October 11, 2013 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. Martin Luther King, Jr.  

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  • North to Penticton Friday July 27, 2012

    Posted on February 16, 2014 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, The Vagabond Girl - Travel Stories

    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 […]

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  • West Coast Fog

    Posted on October 22, 2013 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    “It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light.” Aristotle Onassis

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  • “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” C.S. Lewis

    Posted on December 31, 2013 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” C. S. Lewis 2014 – Let’s make it our goal to encourage everyone we know to “dream a new dream” in working to save our beautiful planet and all of its miraculous living creatures and amazing life giving plants. We […]

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  • Stop ruining love by wanting what no longer exists

    Posted on October 31, 2017 by Janice Henshaw in Meditative Reflections and Photos

    “Love is a lost gift. Why wish for its return. Why beg for its flame when you’ve already been burned? Is it not enough to live from day to day remembering its tune like a beautiful melody you heard years ago- is it not enough to see a bruise and remember how it blossomed? Love […]

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  • Meditative Reflections and Photos
  • Life Stories
  • Vagabond Girl – Travel Stories

Testimonials

I’m extremely impressed with your writing skills and also with the layout on your web blog.
Keep up the nice quality writing, it is rare to see a great blog like this one today.

Rosalie

I found your writing to be lovely and the pictures are just as wonderful.   Keep writing from your heart.  It shines through your words. Clear, simple and profound.  Thank you for sharing this.  It drew me in and warmed my heart.

Patricia D.

What a great book you wrote for our family! It doesn’t get much better than that! MH

Just lovely!  The photos are beautiful, and the articles are interesting.  I was left wanting MORE! I love, love, love what you are creating.

Lori W.

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