“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with
your one wild and precious life?”
~Mary Oliver, The Summer Day
Hi, I’m Janine.
My mission is to add beauty to this world in any way I can, whether it’s on the page or in real life. Creating beauty isn’t limited to the work we do, it’s cultivated in the lives we live. And, to that end, I believe that every person has a unique contribution to make.
From an early age, I was assured that I talked too much. Every report card comment from every teacher throughout my formative years had nice things to say about my educational progress, always followed by a big but…
Now, all these years later, it seems fitting that I would pursue a career that leverages my love of words. In addition to writing, it brings me the greatest pleasure to walk alongside other writers, helping them make their words more concise, meaningful and beautiful.
I hold a Bachelor of Communications degree, with a major in Journalism and an extension certificate in Graphic Design. While in school, I discovered first-hand that talent in Tetris comes in handy when digitally laying out newspaper and magazine pages. In the years since, I have worked in a variety of fields, including corporate communications, magazine editing and design, and branding and marketing. In addition to freelance writing and design work, I have also dabbled in blogging in fits and starts for a few years now.
I am inspired by the beauty around me; it’s everywhere and prolific. I see it in nature, art, photography, books, in the work of a maker’s hand, in the people around me and evidenced in a life well-lived. My faith in and love for Jesus informs my perspective and I am uniquely wired as an optimist, ensuring that no matter whether my glass is filled with coffee, sparkling water, or white wine, it is always half full.
While we don’t get to choose our circumstances, we do get to choose what we do with the circumstances we are given. To that end, author Susan Statham writes accurately, “Your life is your story; write well, edit often.” If we have the courage to share them, our stories can inspire and encourage others, they can allow the people in our lives to know that they are seen, and known, and heard no matter what their own stories look like.
And so then, I ask, in the spirit of poet, Mary Oliver,
“Tell me, what is it you intend to do with your one wild and precious life?”
Life is not a journey for the faint of heart. But, for as many days as I’m given, I’ll do my best to navigate it with faith, hope and humour. And, hopefully, leave it just a little more beautiful than when I arrived.
Thanks for stopping by.
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a note to janine@janinedilger.com or use the contact form below.