Do you ever wonder why life can’t be simpler and slower, flowing like golden honey rather than rushing by like stacatto footsteps? Filled with more optimism good works, friendship, and understanding? Is it our limited perspective that impedes the flow of so many luscious moments? If so, then how can we…smooth out? Perhaps awareness is […]
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!
The other side of fear
We are born without any fear. As we grow, we learn to dress in layers of popular fears, there are so many to choose from. We try fears on to feel if they fit, and breathe them in, and make them ours. We often share them with others. We may have generalized anxiety, or trauma […]
“Look inside yourself”
“Do you know what you are? You are a manuscript of 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 Photograph © Janice Henshaw 2016
A bridge to Gabriola – his dream and mine
A fellow had a dream he says, about a bridge linking Gabriola to Vancouver Island. Oh my, I thought, I wonder why he would move to an island and then start to dream about a bridge that would stop it from being an island? Thinking about the ramifications of a bridge had quite an effect […]
“In order to see birds it is necessary to become a part of the silence” Robert Lynd
Yesterday while out on a walk I heard a flurry of wings, and looked up to see an owl landing on a branch. It seemed very curious about me and Baloo. I googled BC owls and think that it is a Barred Owl – apparently also known as the the ‘hoot owl’ or ‘black-eyed owl’ […]
Seven days of looking for the light
7 Days of looking for the light What a gift it has been. “Light is creation. Darkness is the space necessary to create.” ― Erica Jasmin Cartaya
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 […]
Lighten up your picture
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
The call to adventure – and courage

“If what you are following, however, is your own true adventure, if it is something appropriate to your deep spiritual need or readiness, then magical guides will appear to help you. If you say, ‘Everyone’s going on this trip this year, and I’m going too,’ then no guides will appear. Your adventure has to be […]
“Eternity in an hour”
“To see a world in a grain of sand And a heaven in a wild flower. Hold infinity in the palm of your hand And eternity in an hour.” ~ William Blake Waiting for us… if we look outside ourselves and create the space in time Photo © Janice Henshaw 2015 Eagles and seagulls feasting […]
Pebbles on a beach, each one different
In my wanderings, I leave behind what seems to be a beach full of mistakes. Sometimes I even admire their ingenuity, their colours, their unique shapes. For the most part though, I see and feel their darkness, their rough textures, and wonder at the extent of my unknowing. I taste the salty depth of […]
Rail trail to Kimberley Aug 4 2012
Saturday August 4th Cranbrook I walked a good ways around Jim Smith Lake and wondered who he was. For breakfast, I cooked up blueberry pancakes with peaches. Then I read for a while and looking at the pine forest and breathing in the sweet air, I thought this moment, this experience is a pretty great […]
Trust the dreams…
“Trust the dreams, for in them is hidden the gate to eternity.” ~Kahil Gibran Photo – Waterton Lakes falls © Janice Henshaw
Let it all go…
Sometimes the best thing you can do is sit back close your eyes and let the world go by. Photograph © Janice Henshaw 2014 – Baloo enjoying the sun in PEI
Your Own True Adventure

“If what you are following, however, is your own true adventure, if it is something appropriate to your deep spiritual need or readiness, then magical guides will appear to help you. If you say, ‘Everyone’s going on this trip this year, and I’m going too,’ then no guides will appear. Your adventure has to be […]
Off to the Ferry at Swartz Bay
My journey east has begun! I carefully hooked up my trailer at Oceanside RV Park and after a walk to the beach, headed out early to my hometown of Sidney to pick up a coffee before catching the ferry. I was also returning a cooking grate to the hardware store and hoping that I wouldn’t […]
Being happy – such a gift
“There is no duty we so much underrate as the duty of being happy. By being happy we sow anonymous benefits upon the world.” Robert Louis Stevenson It’s so easy to be unhappy… and there are so many reasons that can be marshalled to justify such a demeanor. But oh, what a gift to be […]
“It is only kindness that makes sense anymore”
“Before you know kindness as the deepest thing inside, you must know sorrow as the other deepest thing. You must wake up with sorrow. You must speak to it till your voice catches the thread of all sorrows and you see the size of the cloth. Then it is only kindness that makes sense anymore, […]
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

















