When enough is enough
When enough is enough
Driving recently, a burst of colour caught my eye, vibrant purple lupins lining the edge of the highway. At first glance, they were stunning. Tall, elegant, and wild. But as I looked closer, I remembered: lupins are invasive. Left unchecked, they crowd out native plants and throw entire ecosystems off balance.
It struck me how often this happens in life, something beautiful, enjoyable, or comforting becomes harmful when it grows beyond its proper place.
Substances are an obvious example. Alcohol or cannabis may offer short-term relief. They ease discomfort, calm nerves, help us unwind. But if they begin to take up more space than they should, if we lean on them too often they start to take more than they give. Like the lupins, they spread quietly, until one day we realize our internal landscape feels crowded, overrun.
Even things like work, social media, or exercise, all potentially positive, can become too much. More is not always better. It’s about balance, not abundance.
At Landing Strong, we encourage thoughtful awareness: What in your life is nourishing? What feels good now but might lead to harm if left unchecked? And what do you want to cultivate more intentionally?
We always have a choice. We can admire the lupins for their beauty and still commit to protecting the health of the whole field.
Warmly,
Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych.
Executive Director, Landing Strong
Spaces that soothe
Spaces that soothe
I recently visited the Purdy Crawford Centre for the Arts in Sackville, New Brunswick, and found myself unexpectedly moved by the student lounge. It wasn’t extravagant or flashy…quite the opposite. The space was calm, inviting. What caught my attention most were the pillows: textured, varied in shape and weight, clearly chosen with intention. They weren’t just decorative. They were designed to soothe.
In a setting where students often carry the weight of deadlines, expectations, and social demands, this space offered quiet reassurance. It said, You belong. You’re allowed to rest here.
It made me reflect on the environments we create, for ourselves and others. So often, we power through our days without noticing the subtle stressors in our surroundings. Noise, clutter, harsh lighting, or even the absence of softness can wear on us over time. But what if we thought differently? What if we gave ourselves permission to design spaces, physical and emotional, that comfort and calm us?
At Landing Strong, we talk a lot about self-regulation and nervous system care. But it isn’t just about internal coping strategies. It’s also about our external world: the textures, sounds, and settings that either support or strain us.
The student lounge reminded me that caring for ourselves doesn’t need to be complex. Sometimes it starts with a soft pillow, a quiet corner, or the courage to make room for calm.
Warmly,
Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych.
Executive Director, Landing Strong
Beauty is a form of resistance
Beauty is a form of resistance
The world feels heavy lately.
It’s easy to get swept up in the noise: the grief, injustice, and constant stream of bad news. As people who care deeply, we want to stay aware. But there’s a difference between being informed and being overwhelmed. And when we lose our footing, it becomes harder to show up for others in the way we want to.
A recent walk through a waterfowl park in Sackville N.B. reminded me of this. The world hadn’t changed, but something within me had. The air was quiet. A heron skimmed the water. Blackbirds rose from the reeds in a flurry of wings and song. For a moment, I was still. And I remembered: beauty heals.
At Landing Strong, we often speak about the importance of grounding. That process doesn’t always come from deep internal work. Sometimes, it starts with stepping outside, softening our gaze, and noticing what’s good. The natural world has a way of reminding us that peace is possible, even when things feel chaotic.
Seeking out beauty isn’t indulgent. It’s essential. It reminds us of what’s worth holding onto. It helps us breathe more deeply, listen more fully, and lead with compassion instead of reactivity.
So, if the world feels too loud today, go outside. Notice the breeze. Watch the trees move. Find something beautiful, however small, and let it anchor you. The steadier we are within ourselves, the better we are for others.
Warmly,
Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych.
Executive Director, Landing Strong
Celebrating our Community
Celebrating our Community
How do we possibly begin to tell you how wonderful the Artisanal Fair was?
Last Friday we held an event to celebrate our Landing Strong community. The celebration began by highlighting the community contribution of our Landing Strong members, as they were awarded coins for their efforts in making our world a safer place.
Serenaded by veteran and first responder musicians, we enjoyed Chef Randi’s delectable treats as we toured eighteen tables that formed our Artisanal Fair.
Reading the Artist’s Statements, and viewing their creative works, it was impossible not to see the beautiful forms that recovery can take.
The event created a feeling, that is difficult to explain through words. Instead, we are sharing a photos and clips of music so that you can appreciate just how special the day really was.
A big shout out to all those who made this day a resounding success. Whether you were an exhibitor, a greeter, a planner, or assisted with setup and take down, it was a fantastic, combined effort.
We appreciate each and every one of you.
Warmly,
Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych.
Executive Director, Landing Strong
Apple or booty?
Apple or booty?
Is it just me, or does this apple look like someone’s backside?
Sometimes, things don’t always look the way we expect. It can all be a matter of perspective.
When people think of PTSD they may imagine forlorn faces, anxiety and isolation. Yes, it sometimes looks like that, but anyone that comes to our programs knows that recovery often takes the form of connection, laughter, creativity and hope.
How many times have I heard raucous laughter erupting from the group room, or witnessed people proudly showing off their creations at Maker’s Studio?
It may feel like the best way to stay safe is to stay at home, but we know from experience that the opposite is true.
We look forward to seeing you Friday June 13th for our Recognition Celebration, and first-ever Artisanal Fair. Come enjoy the creative talents of our Landing Strong community. We hope you will join us.
Warmly,
Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych.
Executive Director, Landing Strong
Big things are just around the corner
Big things are just around the corner
I know it’s coming, do you?
In previous years the staff at Landing Strong put on our annual Recognition Celebration. It’s a time where we pause to recognize the contribution to community of our Landing Strong members, as well as their efforts made to restore health.
This year the celebration is taking a different form. We are excited to be hosting the celebration in conjunction with our first ever Artisanal Fair.
This offers an opportunity for veterans and first responders to showcase their creative works, often symbolic of their journeys of recovery.
Our first organizational meeting was met with 17 enthusiastic members, eager to participate to ensure this event is a success.
Many of you have already signed up, don’t worry, we have an artist’s table reserved for you.
On a personal note, I’m excited for the formal launch of two books.
Summiting your PTSD Mountain: Lessons from Kilimanjaro and Standing Strong a workbook for Veterans and First Responders Navigating the Stress of Service. Free copies of both will be available to those who attend!
This event is open to the public from 3:30-5:00 pm. For members of our Landing Strong community, you are invited to arrive at 1:45pm, for our private Recognition Celebration that begins at 2:00 pm.
In lieu of admission we are accepting non-perishable donations to the Matthew 25 food bank.
Please help us spread the word! We hope to see you there!
Warmly,
Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych.
Executive Director, Landing Strong
Are you taking time for you?
Are you taking time for you?
Often people think of recovery as an active process…which it is. Equally important though, is allowing ourselves time to rest and recover. Many people will say they feel guilty when they’re not working or doing something productive. I would argue that being unproductive, at times, is essential.
I have a little trick I do with myself to determine if I’ve rested enough. When relaxed, I can assemble jigsaw puzzles quite quickly. When stressed or my mind is racing, my thoughts are too disorganized to see the natural pattern before me.
How do you gauge when you’ve rested enough?
How do you know if it’s time to work or play?
We’re only good to others to the extent that we’re good to ourselves. Having healthy pastimes and leisure pursuits is an important component of recovery.
We have two opportunities to engage in healthy pastimes with us next month. We have Community Connections coming up June 9th and Maintaining Health coming up June 19th.
Contact Julie to sign up. 902472-2972 or info@landingstrong.com We hope to see you soon.
Warmly,
Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych.
Executive Director, Landing Strong
An artist in each of us
An artist in each of us
Many people claim that they don’t have artistic ability. I beg to differ.
As part of recovery, within each of us there is an inevitable artistic side waiting to come out. It might take the shape of watercolors, pastels, ceramics, glassworks, textiles or woodcraft. Hesitant to show itself at first, the budding artist can’t help but blossom when nurtured and allowed an opportunity to grow.
A group of women recently completed a 5-day retreat with us, creating inspiration cards on which they wrote motivational quotes to guide them on their journeys. For some, it is something they have already been practicing and wish to continue, for others it’s a thought or practice they aspire to.
Recovery takes the form of vibrant shapes and colors, inspirational quotes, and communities of people bonded by shared experiences. It involves reflection, self-expression, listening and feeling seen and understood. It requires the courage to stand up and give voice to words that may not yet have been uttered.
We applaud the work each of you are doing and celebrate the creative growth that inevitably ensues.
Please come witness some of the tremendous examples of fun and creativity of our Landing Strong community at our Artisanal Fair on Friday June 13th.
This event will be exclusive to our Landing Strong community from 2pm-3:30pm, the General Public will be welcomed to join us from 3:30pm-5:00pm. Come for the first hour or so or stay for the entire time. We hope to see you there.
Warmly,
Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych.
Executive Director, Landing Strong
Side by side in harmony
Side by side in harmony
In a recent trip to Cuba there was a free book library at the towel exchange. I couldn’t help but notice how happily the books were snuggled up against one another, almost as though friends, despite the fact they came from different parts of the world and spoke different languages.
If only it were so simple… I thought to myself.
I can’t control things on the world’s stage, but I can control the intentional way I might greet friends I have not yet met. I want to lean in with curiosity and wonder rather that assuming people might fall into stereotypes of who I think they could be.
We have choices on how much media we consume and when. We also have choices on how we allow it to affect us.
To a certain extent, the key to solving global conflict starts at home; in the quality and nature of simple interactions we have with one another. We can be part of the problem, or part of the solution, it’s our choice.
There’s still time to sign up for our Healthy Living program, and
we are also loading a Care for the Caregiver one-day workshop at the Halifax Military Family Resource Center on May 30th.
Warmly,
Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych.
Executive Director, Landing Strong
