Slow down in order to speed up

Slow down in order to speed up

by | Jul 26, 2024 | Belinda's Thoughts, Friday Inspiration, Mindfulness, Resilience

Slow down in order to speed up

When I stand in line at the ice cream parlor, I order a single scoop, but I’m secretly hoping the server will be generous with portions. I understand that if they rush in serving the outcome wonā€™t be as satisfying.

The principle of being prepared to wait for anything worthwhile extends beyond ice cream. It also applies to recovery from injury. Recovery isnā€™t always as quick as one might hope.

I was speaking with a veteran recently, who reminded me of the principles of close-quarter combat. Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.

In any tactical training, we know itā€™s important to take time to settle and focus before forging ahead. Thereā€™s a period of stillness required in order to achieve maximum gains. The bottom line is we often have to slow down in order to speed up.

What habits or practices help you pause and appreciate your inner calm?

Itā€™s a beautiful time of year, with opportunities abound.

Warm thoughts,

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

Bridging the gap to community

Bridging the gap to community

by | Jul 19, 2024 | Belinda's Thoughts, Challenge, Community, Growth, Mindfulness

Bridging the gap to community

Itā€™s not always easy knowing how to fit in. If a time comes when we must step away from work, it can be hard knowing what to do next. Many people who are injured cope by staying at home. The problem is, the longer we isolate, the harder it can become to reintegrate into civilian life. Venturing out into the community might feel incredibly difficult.

An important part of any transition is building an identity for ourselves separate from the uniform. We are very excited about the launch of a new program series called Community Connection. This program focuses on bridging the gap between our old identity and the new one which we are creating for ourselves.

Every two weeks weā€™ll have a different activity planned. Itā€™s an opportunity for light-hearted, good old-fashioned fun and connection. It’s open to all members of our Landing Strong community. To kick off the series, we are hosting a special event, extending an invitation to family & friends.

Come join us as we share laughs and camaraderie at OnTree Adventure Park. We will cover all costs. There are both beginner and advanced courses to ensure everyone can participate at a level they find comfortable. Some may choose just to cheer, and thatā€™s fine as well.

Spoiler alert: This is just one of many great events planned! Keep an eye out for upcoming Community Connection days, as we explore activities such as: fly-fishing, wreath-making, bowling, a meditative nature walk, water-color card making, and visiting local coffee shops just to name a few. Feel free to sign up for one, or several of these half-day group programs.

If you have ideas of activities to explore please drop us a line.

We hope you will join us!

Warm thoughts,

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

Looking for the good stuff

Looking for the good stuff

by | Jul 12, 2024 | Belinda's Thoughts, Friday Inspiration, Gratitude, joy, Mindfulness

Looking for the good stuff

My house is sagging. Literally.

This last weekend while the roof was being replaced, torrents of rain found their way gleefully down through the ceilings and walls of the century-old house. We returned from the cottage on Sunday night only to realize that our home was far from habitable.

Itā€™s been a slog sorting things out. Luckily the team from System Care is tending to the cleanup, dehumidifying, sealing, and inflating our house like a hot-air balloon.

It is at times like this that life can feel a little bit overwhelming.

I was shopping for groceries last night and purchased some Bok choy to add to an Asian stir-fry I had planned for dinner. My strategy was to overcompensate in nutrition which we lacked in physical comfort this week. Of course, I may have thrown in a couple of pieces of double chocolate fudge cake for dessert.
Here in lies the yin and yang of the universe.

Sitting at the lake house last evening, enjoying the pastel cloud reflections on the still water, I couldnā€™t possibly have enjoyed my cake more. For at least that moment, all seemed well in the world.

When we have those hard weeks, and things feel like an uphill battle, itā€™s important to build in small moments of joy. In your journey of recovery please take the time to notice the good stuff. Even if itā€™s something as small as enjoying a good piece of cake.

Warm thoughts,

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

Should she stay or should she go?

Should she stay or should she go?

by | Jun 28, 2024 | Belinda's Thoughts, Change, Courage, Growth, Recovery

Should she stay or should she go?Ā 

She looks so innocent sitting in the corner of my office. My little porcelain sparrow. Many a day Iā€™ve glanced idly at her while deep in thought. A simple dĆ©cor item that brings me joy. In the past week, three people have told me I must get rid of her. How has she offended them I wonder? Sheā€™s just been sitting there so quietly, minding her own business. Iā€™m informed that in a Netflix series entitled ā€˜Dead to Meā€™, my little feathered friend served as a murder weapon. Even looking at her triggers some of my clients.

A couple of questions come to mind: do I remove her, and therefore eliminate the offending associations? Or do I keep her, allowing my clients to realize that her presence is benign and that not all sparrows are created equal?

These questions form the basis of PTSD. It is an injury of isolation and avoidance. We often believe that by eliminating or reducing exposure to triggering stimuli, we can keep ourselves safe. In truth, this just keeps us injured. Only by allowing ourselves to experience triggers without the associated negative consequences can we recover.

So the bottom line isā€¦sheā€™s staying!

Warm thoughts,

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

It’s a good thing she’s cute

It’s a good thing she’s cute

by | Jun 21, 2024 | Belinda's Thoughts, Caregivers, Challenge, Forgiveness

It’s a good thing she’s cute

Seven weeks ago we got a new puppy; a Pomsky – part Pomeranian, part Husky. Kira is a fluffy ball of happiness, mischievousness and energy. Her favorite pastimes are stealing and hiding our socks and pulling astonishing escape-artist maneuvers. Our fitness levels are rapidly improving as we do laps chasing her around the yard.

Although Kira is much smaller than her Husky ancestors, her body remembers the joy of running as though sheā€™s pulling a dog sled. In true Husky fashion, she likes to hold lengthy conversations with us regarding her needs and opinions and does so compellingly. Needless to say, sheā€™s the only dog allowed to sleep in our bed. Kiraā€™s identity runs deep. Even three generations of breeding doesnā€™t change who she is.

If you are injured, you may think that a part of you is lost or gone forever. In truth, who you are at your core, never really changes. You may not have the same physique you had in your 20ā€™s, but your desire to be of service is likely still strong. The dedication, determination, and values that brought you to your work continue to serve as guiding principles in your life.

Time does change us. This can be a good thing. If we better learned to recognize our strengths, it might be easier to embrace changes in our lives rather than resisting them.

Like our furry little ball of fluff, good things can come in unexpected packaging.

Warm thoughts,

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

Communities Of Kindness

Communities Of Kindness

by | Jun 14, 2024 | Belinda's Thoughts, Change, Community, Friday Inspiration

Communities of kindness

Itā€™s easy to believe the world is going to hell in a handbasket. Iā€™d like to provide evidence to the contrary.

I went to a rugby tournament with Kingā€™s-Edgehill School recently and was speaking to Robert, our bus driver. A former 911 Dispatch Operator, Robert is now joyfully transporting kids on a 60-passenger school bus.

ā€œI LOVE my job!ā€ Robert exclaimed excitedly.
ā€œWhy is that?ā€ I asked.
ā€œThe kids are amazing, thoughtful, well-behaved, and appreciative. Every day, when they get off the bus, every student, without exception, thanks me.ā€

I hear similar feedback from teachers:
ā€œEvery day after class, the kids say thank you as they are leaving the room.ā€ a Junior school teacher shares.

Even coaches have good things to say about their playersā€™ behavior: ā€œAfter each game, the players come up and shake my hand and thank me,ā€ a rugby coach exclaimed. ā€œThey even helped me to pick up garbage that some of the fans had left behind.ā€

These students are the leaders of tomorrow; kind, thoughtful, and appreciative.

This fills me with promise and hope…something pretty wonderful to ponder.

 

Warm thoughts,

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

Continuing To Make A Difference In Big Ways

Continuing To Make A Difference In Big Ways

by | Jun 7, 2024 | Belinda's Thoughts, Friday Inspiration, Leadership, Resilience, Wisdom

Continuing to make a difference in big ways

This week I have a wonderful story to share. I recently was at the airport when I ran into a group of very fit, happy looking men, among whom was our friend and Landing Strong community member Constable Kristopher Hansen. A few weeks later, I received an email from Kris:

Seeing you at the airport a couple weeks ago, I was going on a trip with my entire [HRP] shift for a weekend. I am pretty happy to be working with a team of officers that are also friends. It’s been a very refreshing year for me, and a testament to how when things are at their worst, they do get better if you are willing to trust othersā€¦

Yesterday I was awarded another Gold MADD Canada Cst. Heidi Stevenson’s Watch Award (that makes 2 in a row) for my efforts in impaired driving in 2023. Being able to continue using the skills I learned for her to keep her name alive, has helped me feel like she is continuing to make a difference through me (and the other officers who received this award), which is one of my proudest achievements outside of my family.

I couldn’t think of someone I wanted to share this news with more than you and everyone at Landing Strong.

Joining Kris in the photo are his partner Stephanie and two of his three children. Proud moments indeed on all sides. Looking at this photo makes me grin from ear to ear! This fella has the world by the tail.

Thanks so much, Kris for sharing your news and allowing us to celebrate with you.

Warm thoughts,

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

We could be friends

We could be friends

by | May 31, 2024 | Belinda's Thoughts, Challenge, Community, Compassion, Friday Inspiration, Support

We could be friends

A few weeks ago, my husband Joe was walking our dogs when they happened upon a skunk. Anyone who has seen my dogs knows that they look like they could be related to the skunk family.

The dogs stood and staredā€¦and the skunk stared back. Tentatively, the skunk made steps towards them, as if inviting them to play.

ā€œZuri, Nara, come,ā€ Joe commanded anxiously from the rear. Luckily the dogs obeyed. Dejected, the skunk turned around and wandered off, his head held low. Sucks to be a skunk.

Making new friends is not always easy. We all fear rejection. What if we say the wrong thing? What if we arenā€™t accepted? What if they say things that offend us?

Come meet new people in a supportive environment. We promise not to walk awayā€¦even if you arrive wearing black and white.

 

Warm thoughts,

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

Before I lay me down to rest…

Before I lay me down to rest…

by | May 24, 2024 | Balance, Belinda's Thoughts, Creativity, Friday Inspiration, joy

Before I lay me down to rest

As life zooms by, itā€™s easy to get caught up in the high-speed lane. The list of commitments grows longer, and sleepā€¦well, that sometimes eludes me.

In an effort to still my busy brain, I made a commitment to practice mindfulness each evening, before settling down for the nightā€™s rest.

My mindfulness practice is simple: it consists of drawing; even if itā€™s only for five minutes. Iā€™m pretty good at botanical drawings but have never mastered the art of sketching people. I found a good YouTube tutorial and am trying to etch out a quick line drawing of a face each evening.

Iā€™d like to say itā€™s going wellā€¦but it isnā€™t. My efforts are pretty rough-looking. Thatā€™s okay, I remind myself. These things take time.

While I draw, I utter the simple word ā€œgraceā€ to myself. Itā€™s a reminder to allow myself time to settle in, and over time, to grow. I believe that my sketched forms will start taking on a more human shape if I keep practicing.

Will you join the practice of extending grace to yourself?

 

Warm thoughts,

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

I feel the need to grow (things)

I feel the need to grow (things)

by | May 17, 2024 | Belinda's Thoughts, Change, Growth, Wisdom

I feel the need to grow (things)Ā 

We are well into spring, and with it, a chance to plant seeds, prompting the earth to give birth to a wonderous assortment of flowers and vegetables. I feel a deep sense of satisfaction digging my hands into the rich soil, enjoying the warmth of the long-awaited sun on my back. I know that my intentions are taking root.

Things take time to grow. We canā€™t eat the fruit that we planted today. In some cases, it may take years. It starts with an intention, followed by a period of nurturing, and care. This is not unlike any desired change in our lives. With patience, commitment, and gentle care, growth is inevitable.

Itā€™s easy to get frustrated if things donā€™t feel quite right at a given moment. I hope that we allow ourselves the same grace as we might to the seeds that we plant, being patient as we allow ourselves to grow.

Warm thoughts,

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