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!

  • Beautiful Spring

    Posted on April 10, 2016 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    Thinking is easy, acting is difficult, and to put one’s thoughts into action is the most difficult thing in the world. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Like a garden, worth every ounce of effort. Cherry blossoms spring © Janice Henshaw

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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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  • Autumn Leaves

    Posted on October 24, 2014 by Janice Henshaw in Meditative Reflections and Photos

    So intent on a goal and overwhelmed with thought we sometimes forget to use our eyes and see how beautiful it is right now, where we are.   -Janice Henshaw Photograph ©Janice Henshaw 2014 – Autumn leaves, Front Royal,Virginia      

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  • To See All That Is Beautiful

    Posted on November 20, 2017 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    Depending on our nature, it may come easily to see and talk about all that is negative in our world. The trick is to put effort into seeing the good – in people, and in everyday moments. To see and remember, and cherish, All that is beautiful. ~Janice Henshaw Photo © Janice Henshaw 2017

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  • Splash into the Incoming Tide

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

    Discard like unwanted clothes, all thoughts of what you need, who you should be – just splash into the incoming tide and allow the cool silken waves to curl around your bare ankles – and wait for it – the delicious harmony of being fully alive in this moment, without wishing for anything different.   […]

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  • You can’t really feel what’s going on inside until you go out!

    Posted on July 18, 2019 by Janice Henshaw in Meditative Reflections and Photos

    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 […]

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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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  • “Keep on – there are divine things…

    Posted on February 5, 2017 by Janice Henshaw in Meditative Reflections and Photos

    The earth is rude, silent, incomprehensible at first; Be not discouraged – keep on – there are divine things, well envelop’d; I swear to you there are divine things more beautiful than words can tell. ~ Walt Whitman As the snowflakes melt on your cheeks Let these words float inside you Never forget that our […]

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  • Manning Park to Osoyoos July 26 2012

    Posted on February 10, 2014 by Janice Henshaw in The Vagabond Girl - Travel Stories

    July 26 Thursday – Manning Park to Osoyoos This morning I opened my eyes, and six inches away were Baloo’s unblinking liquid brown eyes staring at me. I guess my new alarm clock was telling me it’s time to get up. I made coffee with my new bod, which is fast and easy. Just boil […]

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  • Be Nobody But Yourself

    Posted on October 22, 2019 by Janice Henshaw in Meditative Reflections and Photos

    “To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else – means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting.” e. e. cummings

    Read More

  • “An example of life’s mystery and unpredictability…”

    Posted on May 29, 2014 by Janice Henshaw in Meditative Reflections and Photos

    “I discovered that the horse is life itself, a metaphor but also an example of life’s mystery and unpredictability, of life’s generosity and beauty, a worthy object of repeated and ever changing contemplation.” Jane Smiley (Photo – Horses on Gabriola Island © Janice Henshaw)

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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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  • A Poem to Steer Your Life By

    Posted on April 17, 2018 by Janice Henshaw in Meditative Reflections and Photos

    Late Fragment And did you get what you wanted from this life, even so? I did. And what did you want? To call myself beloved, to feel myself beloved on the earth. ~Raymond Carver What a gorgeous theme for living! If we were to use these words to guide our path, wouldn’t we find life’s […]

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  • Who says life has to be so serious?

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

    EEK! Who says life has to be soooo serious? I think I may go out right now in the torrential rain and dance around in the long grass and perhaps splash through a very large mud puddle…for the fun of it. Who says life has to be soooo serious? When I look in the mirror […]

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  • Meandering Moments

    Posted on December 13, 2013 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    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 […]

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  • Swift Current, Saskatchewan and clanking noises – Aug. 9, 2012

    Posted on September 21, 2014 by Janice Henshaw in The Vagabond Girl - Travel Stories

    Aug. 9th Thursday – Swift Current Saskatchewan ($20.00 + tax) I am in SASKATCHEWAN,  the third province over from the west coast. I pulled in just before dark, and am now unbagging an instant caesar salad and singing along to John Lennon’s “Come together, gotta be free.” Yeah, right on! Strange words to that song, […]

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  • To transform ourselves

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

    “The ultimate reason for meditating is to transform ourselves in order to be better able to transform the world or, to put it another way, to transform ourselves so we can become better human beings in order to serve others in a wiser and more efficient way. It gives your life the noblest possible meaning.” […]

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  • Will that light come again?

    Posted on February 9, 2014 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    “Will that light come again, As now these tears come…falling hot and real!” ― Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Sonnets from the Portuguese Believe that it will, see the stump by the trail – all that remains from a silent stately tree that once reached for the sun. A breathing majestic tree that struggled alone through so […]

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  • Risk Anything!

    Posted on March 11, 2016 by Janice Henshaw in all posts, Meditative Reflections and Photos

    “Risk anything! Care no more for the opinion of others … Do the hardest thing on earth for you. Act for yourself. Face the truth.” ― Katherine Mansfield If we risked everything to create a world that respected the fragile limits of our home, our planet, its people and living things, it may well be […]

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  • Light on Quiet Old Boards

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

    As the light shines on the worn boards I wonder who built this house, who lived in it, what were their hopes? Their loves?

    Read More

Blog Categories

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

Testimonials

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.

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.

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

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