“I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want to think, all the walks I want to take, all the books I want to read, and all the friends I want to see.” ~John Burroughs What a gift! What contentment To be free To fill each day With such lovely pursuits. […]
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!
“Listen to your life.”
“Listen to your life. See it for the fathomless mystery that it is. In the boredom and pain of it no less than in the excitement and gladness: touch, taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden heart of it because in the last analysis all moments are key moments, and life itself is […]
Practice kindness every day…
“Practice kindness all day to everybody and you will realize you’re already in heaven now. That’s the story. That’s the message.” ~ Jack Kerouak Have you ever noticed How a simple act of kindness sticks in your mind, no matter how small? And how an act of selfishness also sticks in your mind? Every moment […]
The Messiness of Daily Living
“You might be tempted to avoid the messiness of daily living for the tranquility of stillness and peacefulness. This of course would be an attachment to stillness, and like any strong attachment, it leads to delusion. It arrests development and short-circuits the cultivation of wisdom.” ― Jon Kabat-Zinn
Be Nobody But Yourself
“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
Beautiful Though
Foundation crumbling Walls tilting Roof isn’t to be trusted Boards weakening Floor has holes Beautiful though Perhaps more so Than when it was young. -Janice Henshaw Photocopy © Janice Henshaw 2015
Not health, but healing, not being but becoming
This life therefore is not righteousness, but growth in righteousness, not health, but healing, not being but becoming, not rest but exercise. We are not yet what we shall be, but we are growing toward it, the process is not yet finished, but it is going on, this is not the end, but it is […]
Try slowing down…who knows what will happen?

“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 […]
Look for the light
The thing about shadows is that they’re not all darkness. You need to have light to have shadows. So just look for it.” ― A. Meredith Walters, Light in the Shadows Photo of delphinium © Janice Henshaw 2015
Beginning Again – always beginning
“If the angel deigns to come, it will be because you have convinced her, not by tears but by your humble resolve to be always beginning; to be a beginner.” – Rainer Maria Rilke How hard it is to be always beginning, to push away the chill of frozen judgments and instead, to invite in […]
Autumn Leaves
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
Manning Park to Osoyoos July 26 2012

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 […]
Looking for the light – Grayton Beach, Florida
“Faith is the strength by which a shattered world shall emerge into the light.” Helen Keller
Taking Time To Do Nothing
“Taking time to do nothing often brings everything into perspective.” ― Doe Zantamata Small changes, large changes in our life…quiet time spent in contemplation and relaxation before we make those decisions can help us find our centre, and allows us time to listen to our heart. But it’s important to realize that there are many […]
Sun shining through maples
Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, magic, and power in it. Begin it now. Goethe
Emails home – it’s so much fun to use my new camping supplies!
July 8, 2012 I love cooking with my new stove and dishes! I found out from the park ranger that I can stay here for 14 days, and I just might do that! I have the best campsite at Fairy Lake, #20, the sun warms me up in the morning, and I can walk right […]
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
It’s easy to find magical things when you create time to look for them!
How can we find magic when our nose is buried in a cell phone? On my travels I have seen people screech to a stop at a scenic view lookout, take a quick shot with their cell phone, jump back in their car, and take off in a cloud of dust. I wonder if they […]
Trust the dreams…
“Trust the dreams, for in them is hidden the gate to eternity.” ~Kahil Gibran Photo – Waterton Lakes falls © Janice Henshaw

















