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
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
There is something of the marvelous in all things of nature.
– Aristotle
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
Look!
Look!
Look deep into nature and you will understand everything.
– Albert Einstein
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
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
There is something of the marvelous in all things of nature.
– Aristotle
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
Look!
Look!
Look deep into nature and you will understand everything.
– Albert Einstein
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!
I Wander’d Lonely as a Cloud “I wandered lonely as a cloud That floats on high o’er vales and hills, When all at once I saw a crowd, A host, of golden daffodils; Beside the lake, beneath the trees, Fluttering and dancing in the breeze. Continuous as the stars that shine And twinkle on the […]
“A person all wrapped up in themselves makes for a mighty small package.” ~Michael Bernard Beckwith Isn’t that a great description? And oh my gosh, such a challenge to be around those noisy little packages. Luckily these daisies are lovely for the eyes, and easy on the ears a forest treasure! Photo © Janice Henshaw
“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 […]
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 […]
Yet it is in this loneliness that the deepest activities begin. It is here that you discover act without motion, labor that is profound repose, vision in obscurity, and, beyond all desire, a fulfillment whose limits extend to infinity. -Thomas Merton A different thought… “Maybe ever’body in the whole damn world is scared of […]
July 7, 2012 It’s late on Saturday afternoon, and I decided it was time to go out exploring. First, I drove to Lizard Lake campground and found out that what used to be a Texas Mickey challenge for young Port Renfrew teenagers is now a well-marked trail all around the lake. We set off into […]
“How much better to know that we have dared to live our dreams than to live our lives in a lethargy of regret.” ~Gilbert Caplin
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 […]
“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)
About Me – The Life Story Writer I am a professional writer with a Bachelor’s degree specializing in English and Business Administration. My name is Janice Henshaw and I live on Vancouver Island. Here are a a few other facts about me. A business woman – An Executive Director for ten years so I have […]
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
July 9, 2012 When I look at my shiny little trailer I can’t really believe it is mine. I had done so much searching of ads online and studying articles on what to buy. First I thought of a truck and camper, but I didn’t like how it couldn’t be left behind, I couldn’t set […]
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.
YOUR TRUE HOME “Each one of us is alone in the world. It takes great courage to meet the full force of your aloneness. Most of the activity in society is subconsciously designed to quell the voice crying in the wilderness within you. The mystic Thomas a Kempis said that when you go out into […]
“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 […]
It’s just not as much fun post holidays. The bills come in, normal life seems kind of dull. The next holiday seems far away. And wow, there are so many chores to catch up on. Other than work and sulk, What can one do? Ah ha! Plan the next holiday and Start counting down the […]
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 […]
“Satisfaction of one’s curiosity is one of the greatest sources of happiness in life.” ~ Linus Pauling Why? Why I ask? I sometimes wonder Why I can’t just accept things as they are… Because I so love the answers. Janice Henshaw Photo © Janice Henshaw Pender Island “Young buck”
Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving love creates love.” ~Lao Tzu Kind people are around us – they are a treasure to meet! A few weeks ago I had driven for a couple of hours to attend a meeting. I was at an intersection turning off the main […]
