Bridging the gap to community

Bridging the gap to community

by | Jul 19, 2024 | Belinda's Thoughts, Challenge, Community, Growth, Mindfulness

Bridging the gap to community

It’s not always easy knowing how to fit in. If a time comes when we must step away from work, it can be hard knowing what to do next. Many people who are injured cope by staying at home. The problem is, the longer we isolate, the harder it can become to reintegrate into civilian life. Venturing out into the community might feel incredibly difficult.

An important part of any transition is building an identity for ourselves separate from the uniform. We are very excited about the launch of a new program series called Community Connection. This program focuses on bridging the gap between our old identity and the new one which we are creating for ourselves.

Every two weeks we’ll have a different activity planned. It’s an opportunity for light-hearted, good old-fashioned fun and connection. It’s open to all members of our Landing Strong community. To kick off the series, we are hosting a special event, extending an invitation to family & friends.

Come join us as we share laughs and camaraderie at OnTree Adventure Park. We will cover all costs. There are both beginner and advanced courses to ensure everyone can participate at a level they find comfortable. Some may choose just to cheer, and that’s fine as well.

Spoiler alert: This is just one of many great events planned! Keep an eye out for upcoming Community Connection days, as we explore activities such as: fly-fishing, wreath-making, bowling, a meditative nature walk, water-color card making, and visiting local coffee shops just to name a few. Feel free to sign up for one, or several of these half-day group programs.

If you have ideas of activities to explore please drop us a line.

We hope you will join us!

Warm thoughts,

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

Communities Of Kindness

Communities Of Kindness

by | Jun 14, 2024 | Belinda's Thoughts, Change, Community, Friday Inspiration

Communities of kindness

It’s easy to believe the world is going to hell in a handbasket. I’d like to provide evidence to the contrary.

I went to a rugby tournament with King’s-Edgehill School recently and was speaking to Robert, our bus driver. A former 911 Dispatch Operator, Robert is now joyfully transporting kids on a 60-passenger school bus.

“I LOVE my job!” Robert exclaimed excitedly.
“Why is that?” I asked.
“The kids are amazing, thoughtful, well-behaved, and appreciative. Every day, when they get off the bus, every student, without exception, thanks me.”

I hear similar feedback from teachers:
“Every day after class, the kids say thank you as they are leaving the room.” a Junior school teacher shares.

Even coaches have good things to say about their players’ behavior: “After each game, the players come up and shake my hand and thank me,” a rugby coach exclaimed. “They even helped me to pick up garbage that some of the fans had left behind.”

These students are the leaders of tomorrow; kind, thoughtful, and appreciative.

This fills me with promise and hope…something pretty wonderful to ponder.

 

Warm thoughts,

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

We could be friends

We could be friends

by | May 31, 2024 | Belinda's Thoughts, Challenge, Community, Compassion, Friday Inspiration, Support

We could be friends

A few weeks ago, my husband Joe was walking our dogs when they happened upon a skunk. Anyone who has seen my dogs knows that they look like they could be related to the skunk family.

The dogs stood and stared
and the skunk stared back. Tentatively, the skunk made steps towards them, as if inviting them to play.

“Zuri, Nara, come,” Joe commanded anxiously from the rear. Luckily the dogs obeyed. Dejected, the skunk turned around and wandered off, his head held low. Sucks to be a skunk.

Making new friends is not always easy. We all fear rejection. What if we say the wrong thing? What if we aren’t accepted? What if they say things that offend us?

Come meet new people in a supportive environment. We promise not to walk away
even if you arrive wearing black and white.

 

Warm thoughts,

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

Do your actions reflect your values?

Do your actions reflect your values?

by | May 10, 2024 | Belinda's Thoughts, Challenge, Communication, Community, Creativity

Do your actions reflect your values?

I recently made the effort to visit an old friend who is near and dear to my heart. I knew her from a previous life, and we both had intentions of staying in touch. But you know how it goes
weeks turn into months which somehow turn into years. The visit was wonderful, and we picked up right where we left off. I left feeling grounded, happy and inspired.

Do you have someone in your life who has somehow made their way unintentionally into your rearview mirror? If so, I encourage you to drop them a line, reminding them what they mean to you.

Our actions do reflect our intentions. This is very much the theme of our upcoming Healthy Living program which allows an opportunity for participants to examine habits, try new skills and develop new hobbies. Mornings are spent at Landing Strong. After enjoying lunch together, we go as a group to Windsor Maker’s Studio for an opportunity to develop our artistic skills (e.g., pottery, woodworking, painting, drawing, glasswork).

Is the life you are leading reflective of the values and people you hold most dear?

Come get involved with us
you may be surprised by how much fun you have.

Warm thoughts,

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

 

 

Do your actions reflect your values?

Do your actions reflect your values?

by | May 10, 2024 | Belinda's Thoughts, Community, Creativity, Growth, Recovery

Do your actions reflect your values? 

I recently made the effort to visit an old friend who is near and dear to my heart. I knew her from a previous life, and we both had intentions of staying in touch. But you know how it goes
weeks turn into months which somehow turn into years. The visit was wonderful, and we picked up right where we left off. I left feeling grounded, happy and inspired.

Do you have someone in your life who has somehow made their way unintentionally into your rearview mirror? If so, I encourage you to drop them a line, reminding them what they mean to you.

Our actions do reflect our intentions. This is very much the theme of our upcoming Healthy Living program which allows an opportunity for participants to examine habits, try new skills and develop new hobbies. Mornings are spent at Landing Strong. After enjoying lunch together, we go as a group to Windsor Maker’s Studio for an opportunity to develop our artistic skills (e.g., pottery, woodworking, painting, drawing, glasswork).

Is the life you are leading reflective of the values and people you hold most dear?

Come get involved with us
you may be surprised by how much fun you have.

Warm thoughts,

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

We All Need A Place Where We Feel Welcomed

We All Need A Place Where We Feel Welcomed

by | May 3, 2024 | Belinda's Thoughts, Community, joy, Support

We all need a place where we feel welcomed

My mother used to own an antique store in Rosseau, Muskoka.

Things pretty much shut down during the winter but as spring emerged, so too did the seasonal cottagers who invariably popped by her store for a quick “hello”.

What seemed like a chance encounter really served as an opportunity for them to announce that “they’re back”.

I realized that her store was so much more than a place where old things were sold. Antiques are about people’s stories, lives and histories. My mother’s role in this small village was to bear witness to her customers’ stories but also to serve as an informal welcoming committee for cottagers returning and opening up for the spring.

We all need a place and people who welcome us; someone with whom we can share the trials of winter as well as joining to celebrate the warmth and light of spring. We hope to create that experience for you here at Landing Strong.

Whether you’re attending our programs or you’re a friend who pops online to read this blog each Friday, know that you are an important part of our community.

Warm thoughts,

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