A little exercise goes a long way

A little exercise goes a long way

by | Feb 28, 2025 | Growth, Plan, PTSD, Recovery, Resilience

A little exercise goes a long way

A little exercise goes a long way

Have I mentioned recently that our dog Kira is a scamp?

Half Huskey, half Pomeranian, she’s hard-wired for high levels of activity and social engagement. She likes to play a game with us called “How long is your toilet paper roll?”

If we haven’t taken her outside for sufficient exercise, she darts downstairs when we’re not looking and papers the entire first floor. She knows she’s not allowed to, so she retreats to the timeout spot immediately afterward, awaiting our reproach. She just can’t help herself.

Kira’s behaviors serve as a reminder of the importance of exercise as part of our daily regime to maintain good mental health. This time of year it’s easy to hunker in, wrap ourselves in cuddly blankets, indulge in comfort foods, and watch more TV than we normally would. Kira knows to expend energy to balance herself while we, on the other hand, tend to do the opposite. To avoid the inevitable slump of winter, our bodies need boosters to recharge.

What activities do you do to inject life into your winter? Even a quick walk around the block can have the same jubilating effect as toilet-papering your home.

We are currently loading up our Overcoming Trauma & Resiliency program. Is your name on the list? We’d love to see you.

 

Warmly,

 

Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych.
Executive Director, Landing Strong

A place to call home

A place to call home

by | Feb 21, 2025 | Belinda's Thoughts, Communication, Community, Growth, Recovery, Resilience

                                               

                                           

A place to call home

One of the things I’m most proud of is the warmth with which the Landing Strong community welcomes new members.

In a recent Community Connections group, I noticed a steady stream of participants coming up to a new member to introduce themselves in welcome.

They all remember how hard their first day was, and the strength it takes to simply show up.

Walking through the doors for the first time is the hardest part. Once you witness the warmth with which you’re greeted, you’ll know you’ve come to the right place.

Not only will you be greeted with open arms, but you will also be supported on your journey of recovery. Last week, one of our members debuted a new song he had just written. Surrounded by the support of friendship and encouragement of his peers, he courageously sang of an imaginary Inn where a safe refuge exists for those who are struggling. His words of hope hung like droplets of sweet honey that we all drank in.

There’s a spot for you in our programs and a seat for you at our table. We’re currently loading up for our Overcoming Trauma and Resiliency program, we’d love to see you there.

 

Warmly,

 

Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych.
Executive Director, Landing Strong

Waiting for the weather to change

Waiting for the weather to change

by | Feb 14, 2025 | Belinda's Thoughts, Friday's Inspiration, Gratitude, Recovery, Resilience

                                            Waiting for the weather to change

Winter can feel long as we tire of early darkness and long winter nights. So too can recovery from PTSD. We may be impatient for change, eagerly awaiting the return of sunshine and warmth in our lives.

The bad news is that nature doesn’t fast-track spring just because we want it to. Similarly, wanting to get better quickly often has the adverse effect of slowing it down. It’s only by fully understanding and processing the emotions connected with traumatic injury that we can change the seasons of our experience.

The winter of your injuries will transform into spring if you take the steps to help that happen. Stick with it, and soon enough you’ll be enjoying the warm days of summer again.

We are now filling seats for our Overcoming Trauma & Building Resilience program, and we have just a few seats left for our women-only Surviving to Thriving program. Perhaps this is your time to get on the list?

Warmly,

 

Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych.
Executive Director, Landing Strong

Many minds working for you

Many minds working for you

by | Feb 7, 2025 | Belinda's Thoughts, Compassion, Friday Inspiration, Leadership, Our Team

Back row from left to right: Rich Dunbar, Mackenzie Robinson, Jen Whalen, Pam Turcotte, Daniel Mowat-Rose, Deborah Eaton, Mark Larkin, Kate Stanley, Jillian Gorbold, Adrienne Oldham, Louis Coutinho
Front row left to right: Belinda Seagram, Alex Duguay, Sarah Gray, Ben Wallace, Ryan Sasaki, Shawn Hiscott, Julian Young

Many minds working for you

A few weeks ago the Landing Strong Board of Directors and many staff members, got together for our annual retreat. Enthusiasm was high, and dedication was strong as we worked together to review how far we’ve come, where we are, and where we’re headed next as an organization.

The 100% attendance rate of our volunteer Board reflected the commitment they all hold to ensuring that none of our veterans or first responders are left behind following injury.

It’s impossible not to take note of just how much the organization has grown since its inception. Equally inspiring is the depth of commitment on behalf of the Board and Staff to continue to grow the services available to those who are suffering.

We don’t just want to provide good programs. We are committed to providing the best possible services to our community. This often involves thinking outside the box and determining which wrap-around solutions best fit our client’s needs.

The fact that 18 people gave up a sunny Saturday to brainstorm, collaborate, and envision the future together serves as a testament to our collective dream.

From our hearts to yours.

 

Warmly,

 

Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych.
Executive Director, Landing Strong

I resolve…to do more of the things I’m doing right

I resolve…to do more of the things I’m doing right

by | Jan 10, 2025 | Belinda's Thoughts, Challenge, Change, Compassion, Friday Inspiration

I resolve…to do more of the things that I’m doing right

January is often the time when we take inventory of our lives, identifying things we might like to improve on or change. This year we encourage you to do the opposite. Rather than assessing things that are ‘going wrong’, perhaps our energies are better invested in looking at those things that are going right.

Instead of reviewing New Year resolutions of things you’d like to change, why not lean into appreciation for your strengths and achievements over the past year?
• What things have you done well that you’d like to continue to build on?
• What steps have you taken to cultivate positive relationships?
• In what areas have you experienced unexpected and welcomed growth?

Creating these lists is often a lot harder than the self-judgment that routinely accompanies New Year’s resolutions. But think about it…doesn’t a list of strengths set a truer path for the road ahead?

You are growing faster than you realize.

 

Warmly,

 

Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych.
Executive Director, Landing Strong