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

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

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

Moving forward, moving strong

Moving forward, moving strong

by | Apr 18, 2025 | Community, Courage, Friday Inspiration, PTSD

Moving forward, moving strong

Five years ago today, marks the anniversary of one of the hardest days Nova Scotia has ever seen. None of us have forgotten the losses incurred and sacrifices made.

Resilience is defined by our ability to get back up after we’ve been knocked down. Over this time period our Landing Strong community has grown significantly both in numbers and in steps forward in recovery. It takes courage to allow oneself to be seen following injury.

We are running not just programs, but also numerous social outings and community volunteer initiatives. This June we plan to showcase the creative talents and skills of our members in our 3rd annual Recognition Celebration and first ever Artisanal Fair (Friday June 13th in the afternoon).

Yes, there have been dark days, but we move forward as a community and province, doing everything in our power to keep our citizens safe, healthy and strong.

The Artisanal Fair will be a celebration of all that has been overcome and the opportunities and possibilities that lie ahead. We hope to see you there.

 

Warmly,

 

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

When helpers need help

When helpers need help

by | Mar 28, 2025 | Challenge, Community, Friday's Inspiration, Gratitude, Support

When helpers need help

We’ve all done it, although may be hesitant to admit it: locked ourselves out of our cars. For me, it happened on a frigid, cold wintery night.

Choir practice had just ended, and the cars were quickly pulling away when I realized my keys, phone, and wallet were locked inside my car.

I quickly flagged the attention of a peer who generously offered to call CAA and sit and wait with me until they arrived. Not wanting to inconvenience her, I accepted the call to CAA, but insisted that she go home, emphatically stating, “I am a big girl thanks, I’ll be fine.”

A half an hour later, as I stood alone in the parking lot with the -20 degree windchill sweeping through me, I questioned my decision.

I’m so used to being the one to help others that it can be hard for me to recognize when I, too, need help.

As fate would have it, a solitary figure came out of the building to another car in the far corner of the lot. Another choir member had stayed late so that she could lock up the building. She insisted that I come inside her car for warmth. This time, I happily accepted. Worried I was keeping her up late with no sight of CAA on the horizon, she reassured me, “It’s no problem at all! I just received my chemotherapy treatment this afternoon, and it keeps me up all night.”

So, we sat together in her car, learning about one another as we waited. What started as misfortune turned into a gift as I had the opportunity to get to know her better.

I am humbled by this experience and what it taught me; that friends really are strangers we’ve not yet met, and perhaps more importantly, it doesn’t matter how strong we are, we all benefit from a helping hand in times of need.

We still have a few seats left in two great group programs. Overcoming Trauma and Building Resiliency, and Navigating Next Steps. Get in touch to see which one is right for you. info@landingstrong.com or 902-472-2972.

 

 

Warmly,

 

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