by Landing Strong | Feb 5, 2021 | Belinda's Thoughts, Community, Courage, Support
“I got you a delicious cake,” said the mole
“Did you?”
“Yes”
“Where is it?”
“I ate it,” said the mole
“Oh”
“But I got you another.”
“Did you? Where is that one?”
“The same thing seems to have happened.”
-The Boy, the Mole the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy
Sometimes the hardest thing to do is to show up for someone even if we might not know what to do. Or maybe we try to say something and it comes out all wrong.
Many people are hesitant to join group because it can be scary.
“What if I say the wrong thing? What if I don’t belong?” Or even worse, “What if I say something that injures someone?”
Being in group is about meeting people where they are at. Everyone starts in a different space, and goes at their own speed. We aren’t supposed to all be the same. We don’t always say or do the right thing. But somehow we work it out.
I can promise you one thing …we won’t eat your cake! Give us a call and join us for a group program this spring.
Warm regards,
Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych.
Executive Director, Landing Strong
by Landing Strong | Jan 29, 2021 | Uncategorized
Isn’t it odd. We can only see our outsides, but nearly everything happens on the inside.
– The Boy, the Mole the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy
If people could see us, truly see us…what would they think? Would they see honour, integrity, courage, and loyalty? Or would peeking behind the curtain reveal things that we may be hesitant to acknowledge: sadness, exhaustion, guilt and loneliness.
Anger is the easy emotion- the suit of armour- but it’s not what lies underneath.
What strikes me, is that we wouldn’t feel the hard feelings if the good ones weren’t also true.
We can’t feel guilt or shame if we don’t have integrity
We can’t feel loneliness if we haven’t known teamwork.
We can’t feel fatigue if we haven’t worked hard.
We can’t truly know sadness if we haven’t known love.
We are all these things.
Perfect is overrated. It’s the knocks and bruises that make us real.
Warm regards,
Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych.
Executive Director, Landing Strong
by Landing Strong | Jan 26, 2021 | Belinda's Thoughts, Community, Courage, Support
“What is the bravest thing you’ve ever said?” asked the boy.
“Help” said the horse.
“When have you been at your strongest?” Asked the boy
“When I have dared to show my weakness”
- The Boy, the Mole the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy
I used to belief courage was about doing things that involved incredible risk: Running into burning buildings; putting oneself into the line of fire; more recently caring for those with contagious diseases.
These are indeed acts of courage.
What I have learned to appreciate though, is a quieter more invisible form of courage. It’s the force that motivates us to speak when it’s easier to remain silent. To stand up and be seen when we can blend in or remain invisible. To ask for help when in many ways it’s less effort to simply carry on.
Asking for help may be one of the hardest and most courageous things we can do.
Warm regards,
Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych.
Executive Director, Landing Strong
by Landing Strong | Jan 8, 2021 | Belinda's Thoughts, Change, Growth, Our Program
The wonderful thing about starting a New Year is that it’s a fresh start.
This is the time of year when we reflect on who’ve we’ve been this past year, and who we want to be in the year ahead. The ritual of making New Year’s resolutions is a cultural tradition that normalizes the act of publically declaring our intention to change- identifying the ways in which we hope to grow, and asking those around us to support us.
Implicit in this is the notion that change is more likely to occur when we don’t do it alone
The trick is starting small and doing it in good company. Together, we’ve got this.
Consider making us part of your change. Give us a call to see which programs might be best for you. There’s always room for one more.
Warm regards,
Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych.
Executive Director, Landing Strong
by Landing Strong | Jan 8, 2021 | Belinda's Thoughts, Community, Friday Inspiration, Mindfulness
Every Christmas Day I know two things will be true:
- I will likely eat chocolate for breakfast
- I’ll spend time connecting with people I love.
This year, although I’m fairly certain a Toblerone bar will make its way into my stocking, I also know the way I’ll connect with others will look different. With some people, I’ll connect with by phone, others by computer.
The largest community, though, I’ll hold in my thoughts.
When people are thinking about us, we often feel it. Even when we may feel alone, our community is still there. The connection is simply quieter… but not forgotten.
Know that each and every one of you are in our thoughts.
Wishing you a Happy Holiday Season and looking forward to connecting in the New Year.
Warm regards,
Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych.
Executive Director, Landing Strong
