Beauty is a form of resistance

Beauty is a form of resistance

by | Jun 27, 2025 | Balance, Belinda's Thoughts, Challenge, Creativity, Gratitude

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

by | Jun 20, 2025 | Community, Courage, Creativity, Gratitude, Recovery, Self-Awareness

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?

by | Jun 13, 2025 | Growth, Recovery, Resilience, Self-Awareness

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

by | Jun 6, 2025 | Belinda's Thoughts, Challenge, Community, Courage, Creativity, Growth, joy

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?

by | May 30, 2025 | Balance, Challenge, Mindfulness, Recovery

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

by | May 23, 2025 | Courage, Creativity, Growth, joy

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

by | May 16, 2025 | Belinda's Thoughts, Community, Gratitude, Love

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

Kindness rocks

Kindness rocks

by | May 9, 2025 | Community, Compassion, Creativity, Gratitude, joy, Self-Care

Kindness rocks

I arrived at work recently and to my delight discovered the front entrance of Landing Strong sprinkled with kindness rocks. On each step and at every turn was an encouraging comment designed to uplift the day of anyone entering the building.

‘Spread your wings and fly’
‘You are enough’
‘Be happy, Be Kind, Be strong, Be you’

Handcrafted with love, someone dear to our community took the time to spread loving thoughts.

Although these are acts of kindness designed for others, I’m aware that in creating these precious gifts the artist themselves is practicing selfcare in a positive powerful way.


What we do and how we spend our time when relaxing really matters. Spring is a perfect time to reflect on our habits and patterns of behavior ensuring that we are filling our cup, rather than emptying it.

What hobbies or past times do you practice that support your health?

If you haven’t yet taken it, now is the perfect time to sign up for our Healthy Living program, our mornings are at Landing Strong and afternoons at Maker’s Studio.  Contact Julie to sign up: info@landingstrong.com or 902-472-2972. 

 

Warmly,

 

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

Double date square day

Double date square day

by | May 2, 2025 | Balance, Belinda's Thoughts, Challenge, Self-Care

Double date square day

Today was a little rough. I got through it, with the help of friends but I have to confess it was double date square day. You know them. We’ve all had them, those day that once the adrenaline has settled, we want nothing more than to load up on carbs and sugar.

I know at such times I should take my sugar cravings as a cue that it’s time to go for a walk.

Change the scenery.

Change the pace.

Change the perspective.

You’ll be happy to know that’s exactly what I’m going to do next. Shake off the cobwebs with some fresh air, activity and a dog walk.

We’re currently loading our Healthy Living group program which will be on Tuesdays May 20th, 27th, June 3rd,17th, 24th. Join us as we work together to develop healthy routines and curb harmful habits. It’s not too early to get on the list.

 

Warmly,

 

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

When life gives you lemons

When life gives you lemons

by | Apr 25, 2025 | Balance, Belinda's Thoughts, Gratitude, Growth, Resilience

When life gives you lemons 

 

A couple years ago I wrote a blog about surviving the dreariness of Covid isolation by growing lemons and limes indoors.

One of the trees has done well. The second, a scraggly rag-tag bush, has struggled. This past summer, I almost threw it out, convinced I had killed it. Instead, I poured love into it, doing my best to nurture it back to health.

The photo above shows what one of the branches produced this week; three glorious lemons.

How is it possible, you might ask, that something so little can produce something so big? Ah, isn’t that the picture of resilience!

Like the lemon tree, you too might at times have felt less than the best version of yourself. With love, care and nurturing, growth is inevitable.

We’re currently loading our Healthy Living program: May 20th, 27th, June 3rd,17th, 24th. We also have just a couple spaces left in our Surviving to Thriving retreat: April 27-May 2. Call us today to sign up. 902-472-2972 or info@landingstrong.com

 

Warmly,

 

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