Breaking out of hibernation

Breaking out of hibernation

by | Apr 5, 2024 | Belinda's Thoughts, Change, Friday Inspiration, Growth

Spring is synonymous with renewal, growth, and the promise of new beginnings.

The days are longer, the landscape is becoming more colourful, and it’s hard to resist the desire to go outside and simply enjoy what nature has to offer.

If you’ve been hibernating this winter and not feeling up to much social interaction, we understand. We all emerge from our safe spaces only if, and when, we feel ready to do so.

On your terms, and your time we welcome you.

If you’ve yet to try our group programs or have been away for a while and want to try something new, our Creating Confidence and Clarifying Strengths program may be perfect for you.

It begins May 7th and it’s not too early to get your name on the list now.

Warm thoughts,


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

Feel the fear and do it anyway

Feel the fear and do it anyway

by | Mar 29, 2024 | Anxiety, Belinda's Thoughts, Courage, Friday Inspiration

I grew up in a big old house in downtown Toronto. In the garden there were flowers, in the basement there were monsters. I was sure of it.

I remember reacting with dread anytime I was asked to go down to that dark, spider-filled place. I would retrieve whatever I had been asked to get, flicking off the light and sprinting up the stairs as fast as my six-year-old legs could carry me.

Somehow I knew that if I could just move fast enough and leave enough distance between myself and the things I feared, I would be okay.

When we are injured and isolated, our monsters multiply. In an effort to protect ourselves, we naturally pull back from forces that threaten to harm us. The challenge with this is the more we avoid the things we fear, the bigger they become.

We all have things we may be afraid to do, the question is, are we able to find the courage to try it anyway?

Our upcoming program Healthy Living is all about giving new things a try. Give us a call to learn more.

The mornings take place here at Landing Strong, and the afternoons are at Maker’s Studio.

Oh, and in case you are wondering, I faced those monsters in the basement years ago.

Warm Regards and Happy Easter,


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

Warm thoughts,

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

Meet my friend Mayan

Meet my friend Mayan

by | Mar 22, 2024 | Belinda's Thoughts, Communication, Compassion, Friday Inspiration, Gratitude

Following injury, many veterans and first responders are faced with the dilemma of whether they will return to their former occupations.

During my trip to Tanzania, in a remote community on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, I met Mayan, a local goatherd. Even at the age of seven, he understood his destiny.

Shy at first, he quickly warmed up when he saw his 40 goats surrounding me in an attempt to snag my bowl of afternoon popcorn. Grateful for his assistance I rewarded him with half of the bowl, and we happily sat on a large rock, watching the sunset, sharing the crunchy treat.

I can’t help but wonder at the vast difference between our two worlds. The choices we have in comparison to the predestined fate of the Maasai people.

I’m grateful for our choices, but appreciative of the simple and happy life they lead.

Warm thoughts,

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

A day at the market like no other

A day at the market like no other

by | Mar 15, 2024 | Belinda's Thoughts, Communication, Friday Inspiration, Gratitude, joy

This week I had the opportunity to meet some Maasai women living by the plains of the Serengeti who were selling their beaded handiwork.

After the expected amount of haggling, I struck a deal with one of them and purchased a few bracelets. Pleased with the exchange, she spit in her hand and held it out for me to shake.

Naturally I accepted her offer and shook back, knowing it was a mutual sign of agreement and respect.

Knowing the local customs sometimes takes a leap of faith. Like those who are transitioning out of military careers, understanding the norms and nuances of civilian life can come as somewhat of a culture shock.

Allowing yourself patience and grace is an important part of the journey.

Warm thoughts,

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

Express yourself

Express yourself

by | Mar 1, 2024 | Belinda's Thoughts, Communication, Courage, Creativity

This week my husband Joe and I set off on an adventure to Tanzania in a leadership expedition with 21 high school students.

We will be doing community service, going on safari, and hopefully summiting Kilimanjaro.

One of the things I most value about travel is having an opportunity to gain perspective, and viewing our lives through a different lens.

In the Ethiopian airport, I met a woman en route to Kenya, who made me smile. Her diamond-studded glasses caught my eye, even across a crowded airport. No matter what uniform or customary dress we wear, our personalities can’t help but shine through.

I wonder how your personality shines. What small forms of expression do you have to allow people to see the true you?

 

Warm thoughts,

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

It takes a community

It takes a community

by | Feb 23, 2024 | Belinda's Thoughts, Community, Compassion

Photo left to right standing: Ben Wallace, Pam Turcotte, Tara Burley, Deb Eaton, Adrienne Oldham,
Sara Gray, Mackenzie Seagram, Chair of the Board – Shawn Hiscott
Photo left to right on floor: Dr. Petra Woehrle, Mark Larkin, Julian Young, Dr. Belinda Seagram, Dan Mowatt-Rose

Just as it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a community to move mountains.

We see it within our group programs, as Landing Strong members come together to support one another through good days and bad.

We also witness it through the actions of our Board of Directors, who work tirelessly to ensure Landing Strong is the best it can be. We remain committed to providing programs to anyone in need regardless of their funding status; the commitment of our Board allows us to acheive this.

Why would someone volunteer to be on a Board of Directors? The answer is simple; on some level, we all hold on to the same thing…Hope.

Hope is about not giving up, even when you feel beaten down.

It’s about extending a hand to someone who needs it.

Hope is about advocating for change and ensuring no one is left behind.

On a snowy Saturday afternoon, we recently gathered with our Board of Directors to envision our future; dreaming up strategies to ensure Landing Strong and the community we serve continues to thrive.

Many members of our Board have lived experience. We are grateful for their passion, insights, and dedication.

Together we remain strong.

Warm thoughts,

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

Warm thoughts,

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

We have your back

We have your back

by | Feb 16, 2024 | Belinda's Thoughts, Challenge, Community, Compassion, Courage, Grief

This week, the residents of Kansas City struggled to come to terms with the horrific outcome of what was supposed to be a joyous event. One person was killed and more than 20 wounded following a shooting during the Super Bowl parade. This was the 48th mass shooting in the United States since the beginning of the year. That’s more than one a day. What used to be an outlier event has now become alarmingly normal.

While we might get used to hearing about such events on the news, it is never normal for those who are called to respond. Our hearts naturally go to the victims and their families. What is often overlooked is the devastating impact it has on the first responder community. We rush to treat those who are physically wounded, not always recognizing the psychological devastation left behind by these incidents. Often, they are hidden or take time to surface.

Seeing this event, I am reminded of how many Nova Scotians may be living with invisible injuries. We remain committed to ensuring that we have your back; that no-one who is injured is left standing alone.

We are immensely grateful for the work our first responders do.

Warm thoughts,

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

Finding beauty in unexpected places

Finding beauty in unexpected places

by | Feb 9, 2024 | Belinda's Thoughts, Community, Friday's Inspiration, Gratitude, Resilience, Self-Awareness

Late this past Saturday afternoon, as Nova Scotians were swept in a swirl of snow, Torontonians were bathed in unexpected sunshine.

Moderate temperatures and clear blue skies had coaxed even the most hesitant outdoors.

I was leaving the hospital after a good visit with my father and came upon an unexpected sight; on the slope of a large hill sat dozens of families and couples enjoying picnics. Behind them stood a large crowd of onlookers all gazing across the park below. I wondered if a concert was about to begin and thought maybe it had already started since many people had their cameras out, all pointed in the same direction. I could hear nothing, nor see anyone performing in the natural amphitheater below.

Then I realized what everyone was gazing at: a glorious sunset spreading its last rays over the skyline of the city. Like animals waking from deep hibernation, people had stumbled outdoors, dazed by the beauty of the mid-winter sun.

Even in the greyest of winters, we can find windows of warmth and light.

I hope that now you have dug yourselves out from under, you too are able to pause and catch glimpses of the unexpected beauty that surrounds us.

Warm thoughts in a wintery week,

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

The art of being present

The art of being present

by | Feb 2, 2024 | Belinda's Thoughts, Friday's Inspiration, Gratitude, Mindfulness, Self-Awareness

It is February 2nd – Groundhog Day.

Legend has it that if the groundhog emerges from its den and sees its shadow, it will retreat, and winter will slog on for another six weeks. If it doesn’t see its shadow, spring will arrive early. Judging by the amount of snow we’ve had this week winter is far from over.

In the early darkness of winter evenings, I sometimes catch myself wishing the days away, yearning for the warmth and light that come with spring. Dark winter nights can have a distinct Groundhog Day feel to them.

As much as I’m excited for the sunshine ahead, I’m determined to appreciate the season that I’m in. This past Monday brought with it a slate of school closings, a massive dump of snow and sporadic white out conditions. After considerable debate about whether we should go out for our lunchtime stroll, Mackenzie and I forged out to enjoy a surprisingly pleasant walk through the winter storm. From the inside it looked foreboding, but once outside we were able to appreciate the beauty of fresh snow, enjoying the squeals of laughter rising from children playing gleefully in a snowbank as we passed.

I feel the bite of winter air as I step out each morning and am reminded of the gift it is to wake up and commute to work on foot.

Don’t get me wrong – I’ll take blue skies over grey and a surplus of sunshine over shovelling snow any day of the week. But I’ll continue to practice presence and find gratitude on even the coldest of days.

Regardless of whether the groundhog sees its shadow or not, I hope you will join me in practicing the art of being present, and find some little ways to be grateful for the season that we are in.

I don’t believe that chunky rodent is clairvoyant anyway.

Even in the greyest of winters, we can find windows of warmth and light.

I hope that now you have dug yourselves out from under, you too are able to pause and catch glimpses of the unexpected beauty that surrounds us.

Warmly,

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

Magic Lamp

Magic Lamp

by | Jan 26, 2024 | Belinda's Thoughts, Friday's Inspiration, Love, Mindfulness, Wellbeing

 

A few years ago I purchased a magic lamp for our Christmas table.

I loved it so much that I began bringing it out at the beginning of the month and illuminating the kitchen each night as we gathered for a meal.

It also proves to be handy for power outages, bringing a sense of wonder to what otherwise could be a cold evening.

My colleague Deb Eaton was so moved by it’s magical glow, swirling snow and vibrant red cardinals that she too had to have one. She shares that on cold days it makes her feel warm inside, bringing back memories of yesteryear. Deb bought a second one for her mother, as I did last year for my father.

I should really think about buying shares in the company given that such a simple item can bring such immense joy.

It’s a true gift to find joy in small packages and unexpected places. Do you have any items that do the same for you?

Warm thoughts,

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