Hard work to do, harder not to do it

Hard work to do, harder not to do it

by | Sep 19, 2025 | Balance, Belinda's Thoughts, Challenge, Change, Courage, Recovery

Hard work to do, harder not to do it

Processing trauma is hard not processing trauma is harder.  In an effort to protect ourselves we can shy away from things that are scary or difficult.  But ironically, it’s these very efforts to shield ourselves that keep us injured.  

Some people progress quickly once they begin treatment while others might feel frustrated that they’re not progressing as they would like.  It’s at such moments that we must ask ourselves ‘what am I shying away from that I should be leaning in to?’

It’s behind the doors we least want to open that ultimately lie the greatest treasures.  If we can just find the courage to explore, chances are good, that we’ll be rewarded with a shift in perspective. Therein lies the healing.

Is there something you’re ready to lean into?  Perhaps our Landing Strong door is a good place to start.  

We’re currently loading up a few great group programs.  It’s not too early to get on the list.

Maintaining Health is Thursday September 18th
Identity & Transition is on Fridays: September 26th, October 3rd, 10th, 17th, and 24th
Advanced Skills in Trauma Recovery is on Tuesdays: November 18, 25, December 2, 9, and 16

Warmly,

 

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

The gifts newcomers bring

The gifts newcomers bring

by | Sep 12, 2025 | Change, Community, Compassion, From Belinda, Gratitude, joy, Wisdom

The gifts newcomers bring

 

When I travel to Toronto to visit my father, I often take an Uber to get around the city.

Over time I’ve made it a practice to learn about the people who drive me. Experience has taught me that beneath the surface of a simple ride, there are often stories of great courage, resilience and hope.

This trip was no exception. The car that arrived was spotless and cared for with evident pride. My driver, I soon learned, was from Afghanistan. Back home he had been a Human Rights Lawyer specializing in the protection of women and children. His wife he shared, was the Executive Director of a shelter for women fleeing intimate partner violence. Together, they had built lives of service, only to leave it all behind in order to start anew in Canada with their children.

As we talked, I commented on how big an investment his car must have been, and how difficult it is for Uber drivers to make a decent wage. His response humbled me. He said he was grateful for the work, glad to be able to provide for his family, even if it meant 14 to 16-hour days.

This fall he will begin a paralegal program at a local college, supported by a student loan. His English, he admitted, isn’t yet strong enough for law school, but his dream is to one day return to his calling.

What struck me most was his gratitude. He spoke warmly of Canada of the safety, the kindness of its people, and the opportunities it offers his family.

I left the car wishing him well and deeply moved. In truth, it is we who are fortunate, our country enriched by people like him and his wife, who bring with them resilience, vision, and hope for a better future.

 

Warmly,

 

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

Catching more than fish

Catching more than fish

by | Sep 5, 2025 | Communication, Community, Creativity, Gratitude, Growth, Outdoor Adventures, Relaxation, Wellbeing

Catching more than fish 

On our Community Connection excursion a couple weeks ago, Mackenzie and I decided to share a fly rod. She took the first cast. Almost instantly, she felt the tug of a fish nibbling at the line. Eyes wide, she quickly thrust the rod back to me. “You take it,” she exclaimed. “I don’t want to catch anything!” We both burst into laughter.

I stepped up, still chuckling, and tried my hand at casting. To my surprise I caught a fish almost immediately. What I neglected to mention is, that while I love fish, I hadn’t actually wanted to catch one either. It had been over forty years since I last held a fish or removed one from a hook.

There I stood, a reluctant angler facing a slippery reality. But with some fumbling and help from a certain brave veteran, the catch and release was successful. The fish swam away unharmed.

Reflecting back, I realize that the excursion wasn’t really about fishing. It was about the connections we build in shared experiences, stepping out of our comfort zones, laughing at our mistakes, and supporting each other in moments of uncertainty.

Sometimes, what we “catch” has little to do with the line and everything to do with the bonds formed along the way.

 

Warmly,

 

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

Clearing the air within

Clearing the air within

by | Aug 29, 2025 | Balance, Community, Courage, Friday Inspiration, Wellbeing, Wisdom

Clearing the air within

I woke up this morning feeling grumpy. At first, I couldn’t quite place why. My morning tea tasted the same.  The routine was unchanged, but my mood was off.

As the day unfolded, conversations with colleagues revealed I wasn’t alone. Many of us were carrying a low-grade irritability that didn’t seem to have an obvious source.

After some reflection, the answer became clearer. We’ve been living under the quiet but persistent weight of worry; going to bed each night thinking of friends and family living closer to the fires, being startled awake by alarms on our phones, or noticing on certain days how the air is hazy with smoke.

Even if the flames aren’t at our doorstep, the unease is still there.  It’s the kind of stress that creeps in quietly, showing up in our moods, our energy, and our ability to focus. Left unrecognized, it can leave us feeling frayed around the edges.

I’m reminding myself to pause and ground. To seek out small moments of calm, whether it’s the simple act of taking a few slow breaths, stepping outside to notice the beauty that remains untouched, or connecting with someone who helps me feel steady.

While it might be hard to control the fires, we do have the ability to tend to our internal landscape. Choosing calm in small ways each day may not stop the smoke from drifting in, but it helps clear the air within.

We’re currently filling two great group programs, and fall is the perfect time to join us.  We have Identity & Transition coming up on Fridays September 19, 26, October 3, 10, 17.  We also are loading up our popular Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction program September 9th, 16th, 23rd, October 2nd (Thursday), 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th. (945am to noon)
Optional 3-hour retreat Nov 4th. (9 to noon)

Contact Julie to learn more and to get on the list! 902-472-2972 or info@landingstrong.com 

Warmly,

 

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

When freedom meets responsibility

When freedom meets responsibility

by | Aug 22, 2025 | Anxiety, Belinda's Thoughts, Communication, Compassion, Courage, Wellbeing, Wisdom

When Freedom Meets Responsibility

I’ve always found my deepest sense of calm in the woods; it’s my sanctuary. So when the recent restrictions came into effect, limiting access to forested trails, I felt a surge of frustration. It seemed unnecessary, even intrusive, as though a small but important freedom was being taken from me.

A few days ago, while walking the Blockhouse Loop I spotted a man standing over dry grass, cigarette in hand. Ashes dropped onto the tinder-dry vegetation at his feet. I felt a spike of alarm. I approached him gently, asking him to move to the paved area, pointing out the risk of fire and our shared responsibility to take extra care. He laughed, smiled, and thankfully, complied.

It was after this moment that my perspective shifted. Common sense I realized, isn’t always common. Sometimes restrictions exist because not everyone takes precautions on their own. Rather than being resentful I now hold deep respect for those tasked with maintaining safety for all.

My gratitude extends too, to the first responders working tirelessly to contain the wildfires sweeping our provinces. The few hours of smoke we inhaled last Saturday were but the faintest hint of what they endure daily.

Freedom I’ve learned isn’t only about what I want. It’s about choosing care for the greater good.

We’re currently filling two great group programs, and fall is the perfect time to join us.  We have Identity & Transition coming up on Fridays September 19, 26, October 3, 10, 17.  We also are loading up our popular Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction program September 9th, 16th, 23rd, October 2nd (Thursday), 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th. (945am to noon)
Optional 3-hour retreat Nov 4th. (9 to noon)

Contact Julie to learn more and to get on the list! 902-472-2972 or info@landingstrong.com 

 

Warmly,

 

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

Finding our way together

Finding our way together

by | Aug 15, 2025 | Belinda's Thoughts, Communication, Community, Growth, Leadership, Support, Wisdom

Finding our way together

The other day was incredibly hot. Joe was out of town, so I found myself in charge of our three dogs. Normally, on days like this, we’d head to Grey Mountain to let them cool off in the river.

“I can do this,” I thought to myself, even though I have absolutely zero sense of direction.

We made our way up the mountain, and just as we started, the sky opened into a sudden, freak thunderstorm. The first part of the trail went smoothly, and feeling braver than usual, I decided to try a second loop.

Big mistake.

Within minutes, I was turned around, completely soaked, and had no idea where I was. After ninety minutes wandering in rain-drenched clothes, with poor 13-year-old Nara struggling to keep up, I began imagining what I might need to do if we were stuck out there overnight.

Then, by sheer luck, a chance turn brought me back to the right road, and there was my car, appearing from the opposite direction than I’d expected. Relief washed over me.

Reflecting back, it struck me how tempting it is to tell ourselves we can handle things alone. And often, we can. But that doesn’t always mean it’s the wisest, or kindest choice.

Trauma recovery isn’t so different. Just because you can try to navigate it by yourself doesn’t mean you should.

There’s strength in reaching out. In choosing to walk the trail alongside others who understand the twists and turns.

At Landing Strong, that’s exactly what we’re here for: to help you find your way, even when the path feels unclear.

You don’t have to do it alone. And truly, you were never meant to.

Warmly,

 

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

Rooted together

Rooted together

by | Aug 8, 2025 | Community, Compassion, Friday's Inspiration, Growth, Our Team, Support, Wisdom

Rooted together

Sometimes it can feel like there isn’t much solid ground beneath us. Life’s challenges can leave us feeling shaky and unsure of our footing. But the truth is, we’re often more grounded than we realize.

Like the trees that weather even the fiercest storms, we’re hardwired for resilience. It’s in our nature.

At Landing Strong, we chose our name intentionally. A single tree standing alone is vulnerable to the elements. But a stand of trees? Together, they shelter and protect each other, buffering against adversity. It’s the strength of connection that makes the difference.

So, ask yourself: Are you standing alone right now?

We’d love for you to join us. In fact, we’re quite literally climbing trees together! Our second annual Family Day at Ontree Adventure Park is just around the corner, followed by a shared lunch at Bent Ridge.

Come be part of the forest. Find shelter, strength, and a little adventure with us!   

Please contact Julie to sign up: info@landingstrong.com or 902-472-2972. 

 

Warmly,

 

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

The wisdom of knowing when to unplug

The wisdom of knowing when to unplug

by | Aug 1, 2025 | Balance, Growth, Mindfulness, Self-Awareness, Self-Care, Wisdom

The wisdom of knowing when to unplug


Finding peace doesn’t always come easily. The world is noisy; full of opinions, obligations, and information overload. Shutting it out, even briefly, takes effort. It’s not passive. It’s a practice.

Even my new 9-week-old granddaughter Evelyn seems to sense this. When she’s had enough, she simply closes her eyes, shutting out the world. It’s remarkable, really. Long before she has words, she knows how to take space.

Lately, her parents have been test-driving a pair of sound-reducing headphones in preparation of an upcoming social gathering.  They want to make sure she is not overwhelmed by the noise. 

It makes me wonder: when do we give ourselves permission to unplug? Do we wait until we’re overwhelmed? Until irritability, fatigue, or sadness push us into retreat? Or can we begin noticing the signals earlier; the tightness in our chest, the mind that won’t stop spinning?

At Landing Strong, we often talk about learning to listen inward. The goal isn’t to escape life, but to create rhythms that allow us to stay grounded within it. That might mean a walk without your phone, a moment of stillness before the next conversation, or simply breathing before you respond. The challenge isn’t knowing we need peace. It’s allowing ourselves to seek it before we reach our limit.

Take a page from Evelyn’s book. When the world gets too loud, you’re allowed to soften your gaze, put on your metaphorical earphones, and rest.

It’s not too early to sign up for our Community Connections program Monday August 11th.  Shawn from New Scotland Fly Rods will be guiding us on a fly-fishing excursion!  Spaces are limited.

Please contact us to sign up: info@landingstrong.com or 902-472-2972


Warmly,

 

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

We never really know what’s to come

We never really know what’s to come

by | Jul 25, 2025 | Belinda's Thoughts, Caregivers, Challenge, Compassion, Gratitude, joy, Love, Self-Care

 We never really know what’s to come

Eighteen months ago, my 92-year-old father was told he likely had between two weeks and two months to live. At the time, we braced ourselves, quietly preparing for goodbye. But here we are, another summer unfolding, and happily he’s still with us.

Life for him is much simpler now. Though he can no longer hold a paintbrush, his artist’s eye remains beautifully intact. As I take him for slow strolls through the neighbourhood in his wheelchair, he soaks in the details: the deep blue of the hydrangeas, the dappled light through the trees, the subtle shifts of colour in the sky. His gaze lingers, noticing what many of us miss in our hurry.

He smiles kindly at passersby, waves hello to strangers, and sometimes when the noise of the world becomes too much, he quietly removes his hearing aid, choosing instead the peace of his own inner world. It’s not withdrawal; it’s discernment. A gentle choice to rest in stillness.

There’s something profoundly moving in witnessing how he navigates this time, not with fear or regret, but with gratitude. His presence reminds me that while we can’t control how long we have, we can choose how we show up each day.

There is a grace in how he has accepted life on life’s terms, no resistance, no panic. Just a deep, abiding appreciation for what is, rather than what might be.

There’s a lesson in that.

We often try to predict and plan, to carve certainty out of uncertainty. But life doesn’t follow our timelines or expectations. It offers both hardship and hope in unpredictable measure.

Whether you’re in a season of grief, healing, or quiet joy, may you find space to breathe deeply and take in the moment.  None of us truly knows how much time we have, but there is beauty in the not knowing. Sometimes, the greatest gift is simply another summer.

It’s not too early to late to sign up for Community Connections Monday.  We’ll have fun with a game or two of Disc Golf.  No experience necessary.   

Please contact Julie to sign up: info@landingstrong.com or 902-472-2972. 

 

Warmly,

 

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

Beauty against the backdrop

Beauty against the backdrop

by | Jul 18, 2025 | Compassion, Growth, Recovery, Resilience, Self-Awareness

 Beauty against the backdrop

Driving the other day, I noticed a small yellow butterfly resting on the gravel shoulder of the highway. It was fragile, bright, and impossibly delicate; a splash of colour against an unforgiving backdrop.

It struck me how much more beautiful it seemed because of where it landed. Had it been on a flower, I might not have noticed it at all. But there, against the dust and roughness, it stood out.

So often in life, it’s the contrast that gives things meaning. Joy feels deeper after sorrow. Stillness is more precious when we’ve known chaos. A moment of connection can feel profound when loneliness has lingered too long.

At Landing Strong, we witness this contrast daily. People arrive carrying the weight of trauma, moral injury, or deep exhaustion. And yet, we also witness moments of laughter, insight, and hope that are breathtaking — not in spite of the hardship, but because of it.

We don’t need perfect conditions to experience beauty. In fact, it often finds us in the unlikeliest of places; in gravel moments, in quiet resilience, in small signs that life is still unfolding with purpose.

If things feel hard right now, keep an eye out for your own yellow butterfly. Beauty isn’t gone. Sometimes it just takes a little contrast for us to truly see it.

It’s not too early to sign up for our Community Connections Monday July 28th. We’ll be trying our hand at Disc Golf at Clifton Estates.  Please contact Julie to sign up: info@landingstrong.com or 902-472-2972. 


 

Warmly,

 

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