The medicine of meditation

The medicine of meditation

by | Jul 29, 2022 | Belinda's Thoughts, Friday's Inspiration, Gratitude, Mindfulness, Resilience

The medicine of meditation

InĀ The Art of Doing Nothing, Veronique Vienne notes the word meditate has the same root as the word medicine.Ā  All you have to do is look at Buddha to know that he is indeed a happy man.Ā  I mean, it takes effort to smile that much.

Clearing our minds of the traffic jam of daily life is no simple feat.Ā  In fact, few people can maintain a calm composure for more than a couple of minutes.Ā  The moment I think Iā€™m getting there, I suddenly remember theĀ grocery items I have to pick up on the way homeā€¦ or a report I have to writeā€¦ or what Iā€™m going to have for dinner.

Veronique Vienne writes that, paradoxically, it is when we accept that we canā€™t meditate that the meditation starts to work.Ā  Instead of being a success-oriented venture, the practice becomes a humble reminder of how difficult it is for any of us to stay in touch with ordinary reality.

My strategy over this next month is to do a small drawing meditation each day.Ā  Many of you have joined in our artistic sessions atĀ Makerā€™sĀ where weā€™ve learned to do just that.Ā  The focus isnā€™t on creating good art.Ā  Itā€™s simply on creating.

How wonderful would it be for us to draw or write together.Ā  Our SeptemberĀ Identity and Transition programĀ uses meaningful discussion and creative practices to create opportunities for exploring who you are beyond your uniform.Ā  If you havenā€™t yet signed up itā€™s not too late.Ā  Just give us a call or dropĀ JulieĀ a line.

Warm regards,

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

The joy of wandering

The joy of wandering

by | Jul 22, 2022 | Belinda's Thoughts, joy, Resilience

The joy of wandering

This month, Iā€™m devoting myself to the art of doing nothing. Inspired by a book of the same title by Veronique Vienne, I read about Henry David Thoreau, an American naturalist, poet, and philosopher, who often reflected upon the importance of simple living in natural surroundings:

Thoreau enjoyed rambling aimlessly in the wilderness, in search of leafy sanctuaries. Two or three hours of meandering would carry him to ā€œas strange a country as I ever expect to see.ā€ This approach to walking was what Thoreau called sauntering, a technique he believed was used by French errant knights (the French sans terre means ā€œwithout land or homeā€). Itinerant warriors, these freelance saunterers were always on the move, journeying from castle to castle, in search of their next crusade or military assignment. (p. 16)

Over the next two weeks if you look for me, you wonā€™t find me. Iā€™m off sauntering around the Dingle Peninsula in Ireland with Joe. Because we wonā€™t have trusty steeds, our bags, thankfully, will be transported for us. All we have to do each day is walk the 20 kilometers between rest stops. No schedules or deadlinesā€¦our only responsibility is to show up at a pre-arranged Inn at the end of each day.

Perfect. Iā€™ve bought sensible hiking shoes, art supplies and a water-proof suit. Guided only by our interests, aversions and curiosity, Iā€™m devoting myself to clearing my mind of all the responsibilities of daily life.

Iā€™ll think of you as I walk, and hope that you too might find some sauntering time in your life.

Warm regards,

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

Seeking to understand

Seeking to understand

by | Jul 15, 2022 | Belinda's Thoughts, Resilience, Wellbeing

Seeking to understand

You know those moments when as soon as you say something, you know it came out wrong?

In group, we have a practice we call a ā€œdo over.ā€

Itā€™s an opportunity to freeze-frame a moment, coming back to it and replaying it, with the opportunity to say things the way we intended. Itā€™s a chance to make sure we are understood.

To allow others to do this, we need to give them the benefit of doubt: assuming that their intentions are honourable, even if their communication may not be great.

I wonder what would happen if our guiding principle became ā€œseek to understand?ā€

What a different place the world would be.

Warm regards,

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

Who are you now?

Who are you now?

by | Jul 8, 2022 | Belinda's Thoughts, Resilience

Who are you now?

How much of our lives do we spend trying to fit in?

Albert Einstein said,Ā ā€œEverybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by itsĀ ability to climb a tree, it will live itā€™s whole life believing that it is stupid.”

When people are affected by Post Traumatic Stress, they often fall into the trap of comparing their current self with their former self.

If you believe you are supposed to be that old version of yourself, you likely also hold the belief that you are broken. You may simply be different.

Is it possible that maybe youā€™re nowĀ a fish thatā€™s just not meant to be climbing a tree?

It may be helpful to ask the following questions:

Ā  Ā  Ā  Ā  Ā  Who am I now, and what is most important to me?

Ā  Ā  Ā  Ā  Ā  What strengths do I currently possess that my younger self did not have?

Ā  Ā  Ā  Ā  Ā  What insights and understanding do I bring to the table now that I did not have before?

We invite you to explore these questions in our fall programs:

Identity and TransitionĀ examines who you are beyond the Uniform.

Navigating the Culture DivideĀ is about making a smooth transition from military first responder roles to civilian life.

For those who have previously taken a program with us, stay healthy this summer with our Maintaining Health Program July 14 and August 18, offered in-person for the summer months.Ā Drop us a lineĀ or give us a call now to guarantee a seat.

Warm regards,

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

Even old dogs can learn new tricks

Even old dogs can learn new tricks

by | Jul 1, 2022 | Belinda's Thoughts, Resilience

Ā Even old dogs can learn new tricks

Itā€™s never too late to change. You may surprise yourself.

At first you thought you were destined to walk this path alone.

Now youā€™re considering company.

You thought you were stuck.

But feel a calling for movement.

Know that there are other olā€™dogs ready to join you. Weā€™ll navigate this one together.

Give us a call. Whether youā€™re starting a new group or jumping back into our MonthlyĀ Maintaining HealthĀ Program weā€™d love to see you. July and August Maintaining Health programs are in-person, with a visit to the Windsor Makerā€™s studio in the afternoon for artistic inspiration.

Warm regards,

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

Dismantling the shame shed

Dismantling the shame shed

by | Jun 24, 2022 | Belinda's Thoughts, Courage, Love, Resilience

Dismantling the shame shed

Thereā€™s an old shack in the bottom of the garden.Ā  Dilapidated and broken.Ā  Perhaps you know it?Ā 

Weā€™ll call it the shame shed.Ā Ā  A place where itā€™s oh so easy to go. Iā€™ve spent many a rainy Saturday afternoon there.Ā  It beacons, invitingā€¦Ā 

It has no real use, except to keep us trapped in a Groundhog Day of regret.Ā Ā Ā 

I invite you to dismantle it.Ā Ā Ā 

Let us help you take out old habits to make way for the new. View the world through a different perspective.Ā Ā 

Fall is a great time to sow the seeds of change. Take a peek at the programs we have lined up.Ā  We invite you to plan ahead by giving us a call and/or droppingĀ JulieĀ a line to let her know which programs youā€™re interested in.Ā Ā 

Identity and Transition: Knowing who you are once the uniform comes offĀ 
(Starts September 9th)

Navigating the Cultural Divide: Mastering how to fit into civilian lifeĀ 

Creating Confidence & Clarifying Strengths:Ā  Be the best version of you.Ā 

Monthly Maintaining Health Programs: Heath boosters designed to keep you strong. New content each monthĀ 
(This program usually runs online, but will be held in-person onĀ July 14th and August 18th only)Ā 

Warm regards,

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

What do we regret?

What do we regret?

by | Jun 17, 2022 | Belinda's Thoughts, Courage, Love, Resilience

What do we regret?

Looking back on my life, there are definitely things I wish Iā€™d done differently.Ā  Had I known up front the consequences of some decisions I made, I may have chosen another path.Ā Ā Ā 

Hmmmā€¦would I have chosen to work in the federal penitentiary?Ā  Thatā€™s a big one.Ā 

The thing is, I like who I am now.Ā  I understand peopleā€™s struggles because I too have been there.Ā Ā Ā 

Iā€™m the bi-product of all decisions made to this point in time, good and bad. Iā€™ve survived even my most human moments.Ā 

Maya Angelou stated:Ā 

Ā  Ā  Ā Ā I can be changed by what happens to me.Ā  But I refuse to be reduced by it.Ā 

Instead of having regrets, letā€™s choose to celebrate the wisdom we gain from our experiences. Cherish our scars and the stories they tell.Ā Ā 

With forgiveness, and acceptance, we rise together.

Warm regards,

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

The courage to forgive

The courage to forgive

by | Jun 10, 2022 | Belinda's Thoughts, Courage, Forgiveness, Mindfulness, Resilience

The courage to forgive

Iā€™ve been working in the field of trauma for close to thirty years: in womenā€™s shelters, the federal penitentiary system, hospitals, schools and community. In all the dark spaces and allĀ of the dark places, one universal truth Iā€™ve come to understand is that healing and compassion are closely intertwined. Anger and shame anchor us to the past, whereas forgiveness and self-compassion pave the way forward. When we live in anger, we allow others to control the narrative of our journey. Thereā€™s incredible freedom in letting go.


Martin Luther King Jr. understood this when he wrote:

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.


Desmond Tutu states:

Forgiveness is not weak. It takes incredible courage to face and overcome powerful emotions.


Next Thursday, ourĀ Maintaining HealthĀ Program is going to explore the freedom that accompanies compassion and forgiveness.

If youā€™ve taken a previous program, youā€™re welcome to join. Just drop us a line so that we know youā€™re coming.Ā 

We also still have spots left in theĀ Navigating Next Steps ProgramĀ Series, starting this Tuesday. Creating Confidence and Clarifying Strengths runs for five weeks. It is designed to build trust and confidence, identify strengths and re-affirm values that are most important.

We look forward to seeing you.

Warm regards,

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

Celebration of Unsung Heroes

Celebration of Unsung Heroes

by | Jun 3, 2022 | Belinda's Thoughts, Community, Gratitude, Resilience

Celebration of Unsung Heroes

Last week we held a celebration for veteran and first responders who have completed The Landing Strong Foundation and Work Force Reintegration Programs. We worked hard to make the event special, but I must confess I was holding my breath, not knowing how many people would come. Turns out, the day was a resounding success, with more than 40 veterans and first responders attending, many of whom brought family members.

A few highlights of the day included guests being greeted by grade six members of the 254 King’s-Edgehill School Highland Cadet Corps under the direction of Major Keith Hynes; being treated to heartfelt renditions of ā€œYou are not aloneā€ and ā€œThis is meā€ by the Kingā€™s-Edgehill School choir, led by Stephanie Fillman; and most importantly, the presentation of our graduates, thanked by Board Chair Chrystal Fuller and MP Kody Blois.

Before coming, many of our graduates voiced a concern that they did not feel like heroes, they were simply people who did their jobs. I pointed out that we were not celebrating the work they did in the past in their official roles (although that certainly contained many heroic moments), but rather, the ongoing heroic work they are doing now in recovery. As our celebrated guests listened to the contribution of other members of their community, it was impossible for them not to realize that they were part of a very special and unique group of highly skilled professionals who had dedicated their entire lives to the safety, health and protection of country and community. All are continuing to give, continually asking themselves the question ā€œHow can I help?ā€ It felt a bit like a superhero convention that we had the privilege of attending.

Veteranā€™s Affairs Minister Lawrence MacAulay, PC, MP has been a firm supporter of Landing Strong. Although he was unable to attend in person, he sent his best wishes to ā€œour countryā€™s brave women and men in uniform, who have sacrificed so much so that we can live in a more peaceful world.

Regarding his recent visit to Landing Strong he added:

ā€œI would also like to thank the group of Veterans who attended that evening for sharing their stories and experiences. All Canadians owe them a debt of gratitude for their dedicated service to our nation, and my department is committed to supporting their mental well-being.ā€

Alan Doyle from the Dollar A Day Foundation also sent his best, congratulating our graduates for their dedicated service.

We are happy to celebrate our Spring Program Graduates, whether they were able to come that day or not and look forward to future community events and celebrations.

Warm regards,

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

Training and expertise canā€™t help but shine through

Training and expertise canā€™t help but shine through

by | May 27, 2022 | Belinda's Thoughts, Creativity, Friday Inspiration, Recovery

Training and expertise canā€™t help but shine through

Weā€™ve just started a new Healthy Living program that involves participation in the community. Once a week, after our morning programming, a group of Landing Strong members attendĀ the Windsor Makerā€™s studio to work with artists in specialized areas such as ceramics, glass fusion, painting and woodworking.

Itā€™s been a blast, but there have been a few surprisesĀ along the way.

The first day, our group members blew through the glass fusion workshop. What normally is completed in 2 hours took our highly specialized team of veterans and first responders 40 minutes to complete. Not to be undone, the instructor Cheryl good-naturedly upped the ante, inviting participants to make their own designs, cutting and buffing the glass in order to create beautiful large sized fusion glass art.

Weā€™re talking highly technical, precision work.

Instead of shrinking back, the team rose to the challenge. They quickly formed an efficient team with members working collaboratively to draw, cut and buff the 15 houses needed for their projects.

Adapt, Improvise and Overcome.

In the ceramics corner, participants applied unbelievable focus and skill in the creation and glazing of fantastic over-sized mugs.

In the painting section, our veteran artists whipped off dot mandalas with hand control precision, speed and accuracy that was humbling.

Even when relaxing, the training, skill, focus, teamwork and adaptability of our community members shone through. Most importantly, there was a lot of laughter and cheerful banter.

I am reminded of how highly skilled our population is, even following injury. I look forward to next week, and only hope I can keep up.

Warm regards,

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