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!

  • “There was never yet an uninteresting life…”

    Posted on December 23, 2013 by Janice Henshaw in Life Stories

    “There was never yet an uninteresting life. Such a thing is an impossibility. Inside the dullest exterior, there is a drama, a comedy, and a tragedy.” Mark Twain (1835-1910)

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  • Sweet Darkness – David Whyte

    Posted on July 19, 2015 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    Sweet Darkness When your eyes are tired the world is tired also. When your vision has gone no part of the world can find you. Time to go into the dark where the night has eyes to recognize its own. There you can be sure you are not beyond love. The dark will be your […]

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  • Rejoice in the way things are

    Posted on November 21, 2013 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    Be content with what you have, rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.” Lao Tzu

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  • An eagle – fierce and independent

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

    The light can be fierce and direct, and unrelenting. It feels good not to hide.

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  • What can you do when there’s nothing you can do?

    Posted on May 18, 2017 by Janice Henshaw in Meditative Reflections and Photos

    “It’s all love. It’s been very important to me personally to claim an inner freedom to love. I’ve had frustrating struggles trying to get others to love me or to receive my love. But no one can stop us from finding and feeling love inside ourselves. Love feeds us as it flows out of us. […]

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  • There are two ways of spreading light

    Posted on November 26, 2013 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it. Edith Wharton

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  • Kindness and Courage

    Posted on October 19, 2014 by Janice Henshaw in Meditative Reflections and Photos

    “Life is mostly froth and bubble, Two things stand like stone. Kindness in another’s trouble, Courage in your own.” – Adam Lindsay Gordon   Photograph © Janice Henshaw 2014

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  • A worthwhile goal for 2017

    Posted on January 11, 2017 by Janice Henshaw in Meditative Reflections and Photos

    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 […]

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  • Thank you

    Posted on January 31, 2014 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    “If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough.” Meister Eckhart

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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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  • The Muse of Realization – It is yet more difficult than you thought

    Posted on December 11, 2014 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    “There are, it seems, two muses: the Muse of Inspiration, who gives us inarticulate visions and desires, and the Muse of Realization, who returns again and again to say “It is yet more difficult than you thought.” This is the muse of form. It may be then that form serves us best when it works […]

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  • “Spring – “no problems except where to be happiest”

    Posted on June 3, 2014 by Janice Henshaw in Meditative Reflections and Photos

    “When spring came, even the false spring, there were no problems except where to be happiest. The only thing that could spoil a day was people and if you could keep from making engagements, each day had no limits. People were always the limiters of happiness except for the very few that were as good […]

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  • Get rid of those fearful thoughts – Be Gone!

    Posted on August 22, 2015 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    “If you gathered up all the fearful thoughts that exist in the mind of the average person, looked at them objectively, and tried to decide just how much good they provided that person, you would see that not some but all fearful thoughts are useless. They do no good. Zero. They interfere with dreams, hopes, […]

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  • Our hearts can expand

    Posted on December 18, 2016 by Janice Henshaw in Meditative Reflections and Photos

    “If you pour a handful of salt into a cup of water, the water becomes undrinkable. But if you pour the salt into a river, people can continue to draw the water to cook, wash, and drink. The river is immense, and it has the capacity to receive, embrace, and transform. When our hearts are […]

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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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  • Love and Being with the Dying

    Posted on October 22, 2013 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Life Stories

    My mother died of lung cancer, a long and painful journey.  It took me several years to find my way out of the sadness. One thing that helped me was to read books about the dying process. I was touched that there are so many loving wonderful people working with people who are dying and […]

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  • Autobiography, Biography, Life story, and Memoir – What is the difference?

    Posted on August 18, 2014 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Life Stories

    Photo ©  Janice Henshaw Autobiography, Biography, Life story/Memoir – What is the difference? What do they mean? Autobiography – I write an account about my life, and it could consist of just my viewpoint and memories – it’s all about me! Biography – I write an account of someone else’s life – and most likely, […]

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  • Sunrise

    Posted on March 23, 2014 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    Sunrise The earth breathes ruffles the cedar boughs waiting takes forever

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  • Choices

    Posted on January 25, 2015 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    “Alice came to a fork in the road. ‘Which road do I take?’ she asked. ‘Where do you want to go?’ responded the Cheshire Cat. ‘I don’t know,’ Alice answered. ‘Then,’ said the Cat, ‘it doesn’t matter.” ― Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland Many years ago, when I was young and thought I knew just […]

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  • Our window on the world

    Posted on November 17, 2015 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    Our window on the world Is as big and generous As we choose to make it. Photo Horseshoe Bay © Janice Henshaw 2015

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Blog Categories

  • 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

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.

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

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Janice Henshaw

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