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 mighty small package~!

    Posted on October 28, 2016 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    “A person all wrapped up in themselves makes for a mighty small package.” ~Michael Bernard Beckwith Isn’t that a great description? And oh my gosh, such a challenge to be around those noisy little packages. Luckily these daisies are lovely for the eyes, and easy on the ears a forest treasure! Photo © Janice Henshaw

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  • Hadancy the Painting Horse

    Posted on February 17, 2014 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    I do a lot of walking but it hasn’t happened before, seeing a white horse sauntering along a quiet island road towards me. In the distance it looked like it was alone, but as I got closer, I saw a woman sitting relaxed on top with no saddle, and no bridle, just a rope looped […]

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  • Rest over the holidays!

    Posted on December 20, 2017 by Janice Henshaw in Meditative Reflections and Photos

    “The purpose of a vacation is to have the time to rest. But many of us, even when we go on vacation, don’t know how to rest. We may even come back more tired than before we left.” Thích Nhất Hạnh Instead of trying to figure out how much we can fit in on a […]

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  • “To love is good, too”

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

    “To love is good, too: love being difficult. For one human being to love another: that is perhaps the most difficult of all our tasks, the ultimate, the last test and proof, the work for which all other work is but preparation.” -Rainer Maria Rilke   Photograph© 2014 Janice Henshaw – Tofino

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  • Reflections – Look Inside Yourself

    Posted on September 18, 2015 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    “Do you know what you are? You are a manuscript oƒ a divine letter. You are a mirror reflecting a noble face. This universe is not outside of you. Look inside yourself; everything that you want, you are already that.” ― Rumi Photo – reflection in Victoria Lake © Janice Henshaw 2015

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  • Rocking on the porch

    Posted on June 10, 2015 by Janice Henshaw in Meditative Reflections and Photos

    “Is life not a hundred times too short for us to stifle ourselves?” – Friedrich Nietzsche Now why is it so gosh darned hard to throw away that never ending, always multiplying “to do” list and spend time richly – by slowing down, and just plain old taking it easy. Allowing ourselves to rock on […]

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  • Finding peace

    Posted on July 17, 2014 by Janice Henshaw in Meditative Reflections and Photos

    “Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.” Buddha   Photos © Janice Henshaw

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  • Lighten up your picture

    Posted on April 22, 2016 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    Your attitude is like a box of crayons that color your world. Constantly color your picture gray, and your picture will always be bleak. Try adding some bright colors to the picture by including humor, and your picture begins to lighten up. ~Allen Klein Photo © Janice Henshaw 2016 Spring tulip

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  • Travel memories and photographs

    Posted on July 3, 2016 by Janice Henshaw in Meditative Reflections and Photos

    Remember when? This photo appeared suddenly today while I was supposed to be doing something important. It made me think about how photos jog our memories and transport us back to a place and time that we may have forgotten, a moment when we were in awe of nature’s magnificence, admiring an architectural delight, creating […]

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  • Is it time to leave Fairy Lake?

    Posted on January 1, 2014 by Janice Henshaw in The Vagabond Girl - Travel Stories

    Is it time to leave Fairy Lake? Or should I just think about it? July 10, 2012 Camping hint 101: put away chairs at night or fold up – else you get a wet bum in the morning Last night as I sat beside the fire and listened to the light breeze in the treetops, […]

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  • A new path – and sunlight in November

    Posted on November 18, 2013 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    This has to be one of the most beautiful Novembers we’ve had in a long time. Today while walking I met the same fellow I met yesterday going to the park. But today I remembered to take off my bike helmet after my ride. I wonder what he thought yesterday seeing me walk Baloo along […]

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  • Storm clouds of learning

    Posted on April 9, 2014 by Janice Henshaw in Meditative Reflections and Photos

    Last week I was learning a new software program. I started off first thing in the morning buoyed by excitement and the positive belief that I would succeed if I kept focused and my butt pinned to the chair. Eight hours later, with storm clouds of doubt, self-castigation, and frustration boiling around my head, I […]

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  • Thunder Lake, Aaron Provincial Park, Ontario Aug. 13-14, 2012

    Posted on October 26, 2014 by Janice Henshaw in The Vagabond Girl - Travel Stories

    Thunder Lake, Aaron Provincial Park, Ontario ($32.00) August 13th I made it to Ontario! And am camped out alone on a narrow piece of land surrounded by the lake (An isthmus? Is this what we studied in geography? A more boring class couldn’t have been designed!). The campsites are lovely, private, forested sites. My initial […]

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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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  • “Sometimes it’s a boat, and sometimes it’s more of an Accident.”

    Posted on May 26, 2014 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    Now then, Pooh,” said Christopher Robin, “where’s your boat?” “I ought to say,” explained Pooh as they walked down to the shore of the island, “that it isn’t just an ordinary sort of boat. Sometimes it’s a Boat, and sometimes it’s more of an Accident. It all depends.” “Depends on what?” “On whether I’m on […]

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  • We see in others who we really are

    Posted on October 28, 2016 by Janice Henshaw in Meditative Reflections and Photos

    The way to real growth is not to become more powerful or more famous, but to become more human and more tolerant. ~Helen Steiner Rice **** Titles and fame are only accoutrements fragile and short in season like a maple leaf that floats gently in the fall breeeze. Looking in the mirror helps us to […]

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  • Can I appreciate that today is a gift?

    Posted on March 11, 2015 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    “Nothing is worth more than this day.” Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Dawn over Skyway Bridge, Florida Photograph © Janice Henshaw 2015  

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  • Try slowing down…who knows what will happen?

    Posted on August 1, 2015 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    “For fast-acting relief try slowing down.” Lily Tomlin Now that’s a concept. Who knew it could be so simple? No pills, no frills, just slow down… Better to start now, today, because if we’re waiting for some day in the future to slow down, odds are good that it just might not happen. Janice Henshaw […]

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  • Curiosity and why?

    Posted on July 22, 2016 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    “Satisfaction of one’s curiosity is one of the greatest sources of happiness in life.” ~ Linus Pauling Why? Why I ask? I sometimes wonder Why I can’t just accept things as they are… Because I so love the answers. Janice Henshaw Photo © Janice Henshaw Pender Island “Young buck”

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  • A Pure Clear Moment

    Posted on July 31, 2014 by Janice Henshaw in Meditative Reflections and Photos

    A Pure Clear Moment It wasn’t until I had climbed up Many seemingly impossible hills Fallen down into the darkness Of unknown ravines, And gotten lost A thousand million times That I began to notice How simple things Without warning or invitation Could draw me in As though to another world Early morning raindrops Pure […]

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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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