Who are you… really?

Who are you… really?

by | Aug 5, 2022 | Belinda's Thoughts, Resilience

Who are you… really?

To be enlightened is to know oneself -and not run away

– Veronique Vienne
 

It’s not easy knowing who we are beyond the work we take on in life: Military Member, Police Officer, Fire Fighter, Corrections Officer, Health Care Provider. These are all powerful roles, guided by deep- seeded values such as integrity, compassion and service. We all want to make our mark on the world, but this nature of work takes an invisible toll that is often unrecognized for years, even to ourselves.

Now you’ve stopped and are taking stock. What was it that prompted this?

Perhaps you’re more irritable than you used to be.

Or your focus or memory seem off.

You catch yourself tearing up during your children’s TV shows.

Your body has chronic pain that occupies all your thoughts.

These may be your body’s way of signaling that your ready for a change. A step towards assisting yourself rather than always being focussed on helping others.

Check out our fall program line-up and see if there’s something right for you.

Warm regards,

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

The medicine of meditation

The medicine of meditation

by | Jul 29, 2022 | Belinda's Thoughts, Friday's Inspiration, Gratitude, Mindfulness, Resilience

The medicine of meditation

In The Art of Doing Nothing, Veronique Vienne notes the word meditate has the same root as the word medicine.  All you have to do is look at Buddha to know that he is indeed a happy man.  I mean, it takes effort to smile that much.

Clearing our minds of the traffic jam of daily life is no simple feat.  In fact, few people can maintain a calm composure for more than a couple of minutes.  The moment I think I’m getting there, I suddenly remember the grocery items I have to pick up on the way home… or a report I have to write… or what I’m going to have for dinner.

Veronique Vienne writes that, paradoxically, it is when we accept that we can’t meditate that the meditation starts to work.  Instead of being a success-oriented venture, the practice becomes a humble reminder of how difficult it is for any of us to stay in touch with ordinary reality.

My strategy over this next month is to do a small drawing meditation each day.  Many of you have joined in our artistic sessions at Maker’s where we’ve learned to do just that.  The focus isn’t on creating good art.  It’s simply on creating.

How wonderful would it be for us to draw or write together.  Our September Identity and Transition program uses meaningful discussion and creative practices to create opportunities for exploring who you are beyond your uniform.  If you haven’t yet signed up it’s not too late.  Just give us a call or drop Julie a line.

Warm regards,

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

The joy of wandering

The joy of wandering

by | Jul 22, 2022 | Belinda's Thoughts, joy, Resilience

The joy of wandering

This month, I’m devoting myself to the art of doing nothing. Inspired by a book of the same title by Veronique Vienne, I read about Henry David Thoreau, an American naturalist, poet, and philosopher, who often reflected upon the importance of simple living in natural surroundings:

Thoreau enjoyed rambling aimlessly in the wilderness, in search of leafy sanctuaries. Two or three hours of meandering would carry him to “as strange a country as I ever expect to see.” This approach to walking was what Thoreau called sauntering, a technique he believed was used by French errant knights (the French sans terre means “without land or home”). Itinerant warriors, these freelance saunterers were always on the move, journeying from castle to castle, in search of their next crusade or military assignment. (p. 16)

Over the next two weeks if you look for me, you won’t find me. I’m off sauntering around the Dingle Peninsula in Ireland with Joe. Because we won’t have trusty steeds, our bags, thankfully, will be transported for us. All we have to do each day is walk the 20 kilometers between rest stops. No schedules or deadlines…our only responsibility is to show up at a pre-arranged Inn at the end of each day.

Perfect. I’ve bought sensible hiking shoes, art supplies and a water-proof suit. Guided only by our interests, aversions and curiosity, I’m devoting myself to clearing my mind of all the responsibilities of daily life.

I’ll think of you as I walk, and hope that you too might find some sauntering time in your life.

Warm regards,

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

Seeking to understand

Seeking to understand

by | Jul 15, 2022 | Belinda's Thoughts, Resilience, Wellbeing

Seeking to understand

You know those moments when as soon as you say something, you know it came out wrong?

In group, we have a practice we call a “do over.”

It’s an opportunity to freeze-frame a moment, coming back to it and replaying it, with the opportunity to say things the way we intended. It’s a chance to make sure we are understood.

To allow others to do this, we need to give them the benefit of doubt: assuming that their intentions are honourable, even if their communication may not be great.

I wonder what would happen if our guiding principle became “seek to understand?”

What a different place the world would be.

Warm regards,

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

Who are you now?

Who are you now?

by | Jul 8, 2022 | Belinda's Thoughts, Resilience

Who are you now?

How much of our lives do we spend trying to fit in?

Albert Einstein said, “Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live it’s whole life believing that it is stupid.”

When people are affected by Post Traumatic Stress, they often fall into the trap of comparing their current self with their former self.

If you believe you are supposed to be that old version of yourself, you likely also hold the belief that you are broken. You may simply be different.

Is it possible that maybe you’re now a fish that’s just not meant to be climbing a tree?

It may be helpful to ask the following questions:

          Who am I now, and what is most important to me?

          What strengths do I currently possess that my younger self did not have?

          What insights and understanding do I bring to the table now that I did not have before?

We invite you to explore these questions in our fall programs:

Identity and Transition examines who you are beyond the Uniform.

Navigating the Culture Divide is about making a smooth transition from military first responder roles to civilian life.

For those who have previously taken a program with us, stay healthy this summer with our Maintaining Health Program July 14 and August 18, offered in-person for the summer months. Drop us a line or give us a call now to guarantee a seat.

Warm regards,

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

Even old dogs can learn new tricks

Even old dogs can learn new tricks

by | Jul 1, 2022 | Belinda's Thoughts, Resilience

 Even old dogs can learn new tricks

It’s never too late to change. You may surprise yourself.

At first you thought you were destined to walk this path alone.

Now you’re considering company.

You thought you were stuck.

But feel a calling for movement.

Know that there are other ol’dogs ready to join you. We’ll navigate this one together.

Give us a call. Whether you’re starting a new group or jumping back into our Monthly Maintaining Health Program we’d love to see you. July and August Maintaining Health programs are in-person, with a visit to the Windsor Maker’s studio in the afternoon for artistic inspiration.

Warm regards,

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