We love our little kids, and we love our dogs and cats, no matter what they look like or how outrageously they behave. Yet many (most?) of us are confused about what love is, and how to love others! And so we have a multi-billion dollar industry that thrives on that confusion. But what happens […]
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!
Happiness is actually pretty simple, isn’t it?
Happiness is…gosh, I read a whole book on it! (Ok, at least 3 books, and a zillion articles). Research, facts, surveys, stories, how-tos, and after all of it I wasn’t any further ahead than when I started. But I kept thinking about happiness and noticing that sometimes the people I meet, and myself, are struggling […]
Rollick into 2016!
2016? How did this new year rollick around so fast? I’ve noticed as I fill out various applications or registration thingamabobs online that I have to scroll ever longer to find my age or birthdate. Sometimes I wonder if the descending numbers will stop before my time and instead of number choices like 20 -25 […]
“Whole against the sky”
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
I only went out for a walk…
I was delighted to find this boulder with (my hero!) John Muir’s quote inscribed at the trail in Whitewater Canyon Preserve, northwest of Palm Springs, off Interstate 10. We had a great hike/climb up to the top of a mountain (a Hugh Grant mountain?) which rewarded us with a stellar view while we enjoyed our […]
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?” […]
A worthwhile goal for 2017
A life lived with kindness is worth living, our hearts feel deeper and more connected because kindness is contagious. Smile, hug, listen, help others, be polite nurture a spirit of generosity, be Kind, instead of right Simple things… We can expect our gifts of kindness to warm the hearts of those close by and reach […]
Nanaimo incinerator – Gabriola protesters say no way!
A beautiful sunny day for a protest in downtown Nanaimo. Just under 200 people from Gabriola headed in by ferry to protest against the building of an incinerator at Duke Point to burn garbage from the lower mainland. Here are some of the people (and canine friends) who believe in standing up for fresh air.
Grey beauty of our Pacific Coast

The dark grey beauty of our winter coast – makes us who we are… Photo © Janice Henshaw 2016
Can I appreciate that today is a gift?
“Nothing is worth more than this day.” Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Dawn over Skyway Bridge, Florida Photograph © Janice Henshaw 2015
“To love is good, too”
“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
Making the journey – that’s what counts – it matters not whether we achieve our goals
Ithaca When you set out on your journey to Ithaca, pray that the road is long, full of adventure, full of knowledge. The Lestrygonians and the Cyclops, the angry Poseidon — do not fear them: You will never find such as these on your path, if your thoughts remain lofty, if a fine emotion touches […]
Happy Thanksgiving American Friends
A Gratitude Ritual by Debbie Ford The beautiful gifts of gratitude begin at home so today invite a healing to happen in your own body in your own consciousness in your own loving heart that feels blessed to be alive Notice all the riches you’ve been given the feet that allow you to stand the […]
You can’t really feel what’s going on inside until you go out!
Sometimes the hardest thing we can do is manage out time to “get out there.” But if we do, we find that all the balls we are juggling tend to slow down, and their urgency tends to diminish. Our heart rate slows, our brain waves slow, our lungs expand with deeper breaths, and our bodies […]
You are here to enrich the world
“You are not here merely to make a living. You are here in order to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, with a finer spirit of hope and achievement. You are here to enrich the world, and you impoverish yourself if you forget the errand.” Woodrow Wilson Photograph © Janice Henshaw […]
There are two ways of spreading light
There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it. Edith Wharton
Brandon, Manitoba – Aug. 11, 2012
August 11th, Brandon, Manitoba – 432 km from Moose Jaw (Wal-Mart Parking Lot $0.00) Brandon Wheat Kings – those words stick together in my mind like peanut butter and jam. The name of a junior hockey team based nearly 2,000 km from my home: I wonder how I know that piece of trivia? It was […]
Nature can be so messy

Nature can be so messy and untidy nothing ordered or filed or put away but it slows down my breath and makes me forget that anything else matters… unlike my house which is tidy and clean and full of must do’s. -Janice Henshaw Photograph ©Janice Henshaw 2014
Where does hurrying get you?
“Great masses of people these days live out their lives in a dull and loveless stupor. Sensitive persons find our inartistic manner of existence oppressive and painful, and they withdraw from sight… I believe what we lack is joy. The ardor that a heightened awareness imparts to life, the conception of life as a happy […]


















