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

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

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

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

Good things are just around the corner

Good things are just around the corner

by | Apr 4, 2025 | Balance, Belinda's Thoughts, Gratitude

Good things are just around the corner

This week, when we turn on the news or look out the window, everything feels grey. It’s easy to get overwhelmed. Instead, I choose to be intentional about introducing color and positive energy into my life. Starting with these beautiful tulips.

Given to me a week ago, it’s astonishing to see how they keep getting stronger and more beautiful. It makes no sense. Even though the sun’s not shining, these resilient flowers are pushing their way forward, toward brightness and life.


What if we all did the same? We need not see sunny skies to know they are just around the corner.

How are you bringing color into your life? Are you able to be intentional about introducing pockets of beauty and joy into a week that could otherwise be hard?

We’ve got some great group programs coming up. Monday April 7th we have our half-day Community Connections where we’ll be creating an Easter themed craft. We are also loading up our Healthy Living program Tuesdays May 20th, 27th, June 3rd,17th, 24th, and our Surviving to Thriving retreat April 27th-May 2nd has just a couple seats left. Connect today to save your seat: info@landingstrong.com or 902-472-2972

 

Warmly,

 

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