Many minds working for you

Many minds working for you

by | Feb 7, 2025 | Belinda's Thoughts, Compassion, Friday Inspiration, Leadership, Our Team

Back row from left to right: Rich Dunbar, Mackenzie Robinson, Jen Whalen, Pam Turcotte, Daniel Mowat-Rose, Deborah Eaton, Mark Larkin, Kate Stanley, Jillian Gorbold, Adrienne Oldham, Louis Coutinho
Front row left to right: Belinda Seagram, Alex Duguay, Sarah Gray, Ben Wallace, Ryan Sasaki, Shawn Hiscott, Julian Young

Many minds working for you

A few weeks ago the Landing Strong Board of Directors and many staff members, got together for our annual retreat. Enthusiasm was high, and dedication was strong as we worked together to review how far we’ve come, where we are, and where we’re headed next as an organization.

The 100% attendance rate of our volunteer Board reflected the commitment they all hold to ensuring that none of our veterans or first responders are left behind following injury.

It’s impossible not to take note of just how much the organization has grown since its inception. Equally inspiring is the depth of commitment on behalf of the Board and Staff to continue to grow the services available to those who are suffering.

We don’t just want to provide good programs. We are committed to providing the best possible services to our community. This often involves thinking outside the box and determining which wrap-around solutions best fit our client’s needs.

The fact that 18 people gave up a sunny Saturday to brainstorm, collaborate, and envision the future together serves as a testament to our collective dream.

From our hearts to yours.

 

Warmly,

 

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

I resolve…to do more of the things I’m doing right

I resolve…to do more of the things I’m doing right

by | Jan 10, 2025 | Belinda's Thoughts, Challenge, Change, Compassion, Friday Inspiration

I resolve…to do more of the things that I’m doing right

January is often the time when we take inventory of our lives, identifying things we might like to improve on or change. This year we encourage you to do the opposite. Rather than assessing things that are ‘going wrong’, perhaps our energies are better invested in looking at those things that are going right.

Instead of reviewing New Year resolutions of things you’d like to change, why not lean into appreciation for your strengths and achievements over the past year?
• What things have you done well that you’d like to continue to build on?
• What steps have you taken to cultivate positive relationships?
• In what areas have you experienced unexpected and welcomed growth?

Creating these lists is often a lot harder than the self-judgment that routinely accompanies New Year’s resolutions. But think about it…doesn’t a list of strengths set a truer path for the road ahead?

You are growing faster than you realize.

 

Warmly,

 

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

The Universe takes care of itself

The Universe takes care of itself

by | Sep 13, 2024 | Belinda's Thoughts, Challenge, Compassion, Forgiveness, Friday Inspiration

The universe takes care of itself

Have I mentioned my beautiful little puppy Kira lately? She continues to bring us lots of joy but in a true Pomsky manner has an abundance of energy and is a bit of a scamp.

Her latest habit, dare I mention it on social media, is scouring the house for underwear. I’ve gone to great pains to hide these silken delicacies but even this morning caught her happily chomping on what I thought had been a well-hidden pile of laundry.

I estimate that over the past month, I have lost approximately ten pairs. In an attempt to rectify the situation, I took a trip to the Halifax Shopping Center last weekend. Imagine my surprise when passing by Victoria’s Secret, I saw a sign that read: ‘Buy 3 pairs of underwear, get 5 pairs FREE!’

I assumed it had to be a gimmick, perhaps an effort to get rid of their worst inventory, but no it was just an amazing deal. For $60 after tax, I left smiling with sixteen new pairs in tow.

Suddenly all the stress associated with Kira’s mischief faded away. Even this morning when she jumped 5 feet to the top of my bureau, I smiled thinking, gotcha! I’m still six pairs ahead!

Sometimes in life, the world can feel overwhelming. It’s at exactly these times that I open my mind to the possibility of the universe correcting itself. A part of me wasn’t surprised by the amazing deal at the mall. The universe was simply putting my week upside right again.

How often do you look for signs that the universe is operating in your favor? It may be happening more often than you think.

 

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

Beneath the shell

Beneath the shell

by | Apr 12, 2024 | Belinda's Thoughts, Caregivers, Change, Compassion, Friday Inspiration

                                            Beneath the shell

I recently visited someone I love in a dementia ward of a care facility.

I took a deep breath as I walked in the door. It was suppertime and a large group of seniors were gathered at tables awaiting their evening meal. Some were talking quietly; a number were staring into space.

I joined one of the tables and learned through a caregiver that one of the seniors spoke French. Trying it on for size, I threw them a line in my best attempt at bilingualism.

The man to whom I had aimed the comment suddenly sprang to life, his eyes lighting up and he blurted out a lengthy response to my simple question.

As though a sleeping clock had suddenly sounded, all the members of the table perked up and a second person joined the conversation in French, only to be followed by a third…and then a fourth.

When I commented on how impressed I was by their fluency with language, one exceptionally charming elderly man turned to me and said, “My dear, it’s one of the four languages I speak.”

With the prompting of their caregivers, I learned that two of the five people at the table had published books. I congratulated them on this accomplishment of publishing a book. Again, the stately gentleman gently corrected me letting me know he had in fact, published three.

One member at the table was a retired psychiatrist, another was a former CEO of an international corporation. I never got to learn what the women that didn’t speak French did, because she insisted on speaking to me in Italian
After lots of teasing and laughter, I left the facility with my heart full.

I am reminded that though at times, we may seem to be only shells of our former selves, inside each of us lies a passion and a rich interior. The fact that we are no longer practicing it, makes it no less interesting.

Warm thoughts,

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

Meet my friend Mayan

Meet my friend Mayan

by | Mar 22, 2024 | Belinda's Thoughts, Communication, Compassion, Friday Inspiration, Gratitude

Following injury, many veterans and first responders are faced with the dilemma of whether they will return to their former occupations.

During my trip to Tanzania, in a remote community on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, I met Mayan, a local goatherd. Even at the age of seven, he understood his destiny.

Shy at first, he quickly warmed up when he saw his 40 goats surrounding me in an attempt to snag my bowl of afternoon popcorn. Grateful for his assistance I rewarded him with half of the bowl, and we happily sat on a large rock, watching the sunset, sharing the crunchy treat.

I can’t help but wonder at the vast difference between our two worlds. The choices we have in comparison to the predestined fate of the Maasai people.

I’m grateful for our choices, but appreciative of the simple and happy life they lead.

Warm thoughts,

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