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

An artist in each of us

An artist in each of us

by | May 23, 2025 | Courage, Creativity, Growth, joy

An artist in each of us

Many people claim that they don’t have artistic ability. I beg to differ.

As part of recovery, within each of us there is an inevitable artistic side waiting to come out. It might take the shape of watercolors, pastels, ceramics, glassworks, textiles or woodcraft. Hesitant to show itself at first, the budding artist can’t help but blossom when nurtured and allowed an opportunity to grow.

A group of women recently completed a 5-day retreat with us, creating inspiration cards on which they wrote motivational quotes to guide them on their journeys. For some, it is something they have already been practicing and wish to continue, for others it’s a thought or practice they aspire to.

Recovery takes the form of vibrant shapes and colors, inspirational quotes, and communities of people bonded by shared experiences. It involves reflection, self-expression, listening and feeling seen and understood. It requires the courage to stand up and give voice to words that may not yet have been uttered.

We applaud the work each of you are doing and celebrate the creative growth that inevitably ensues.

Please come witness some of the tremendous examples of fun and creativity of our Landing Strong community at our Artisanal Fair on Friday June 13th.

This event will be exclusive to our Landing Strong community from 2pm-3:30pm, the General Public will be welcomed to join us from 3:30pm-5:00pm. Come for the first hour or so or stay for the entire time. We hope to see you there.

 

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

Birds of a feather flock together

Birds of a feather flock together

by | Jan 3, 2025 | Belinda's Thoughts, Courage, Creativity, Growth, joy

Birds of a feather flock together

On a recent trip to Toronto, I came across these seven fine feathered friends. While the cold winds were blowing around them, they were relaxing comfortably together sharing the heat of their bodies as well as the warm air from the subway system that vented up from below.

Naturally, the first thing I thought of was Landing Strong. We all benefit from the strength and warmth of companionship.

While the world outside might seem cold at times, together we create a climate of warmth of comfort. There are no strangers to this place, only friends we haven’t yet met.

There’s room for plenty more. If we haven’t heard from you yet, we’d love to. Give us a call or drop us a line anytime. 902-472-2972 or info@landingstrong.com.

Our Emotions Management program starts in less than two weeks. We still have a few seats left and would love to meet you.

 

Warmly,

 

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

Believe in Christmas – Do something just for kicks!

Believe in Christmas – Do something just for kicks!

by | Dec 29, 2024 | Belinda's Thoughts, Courage, Creativity, Growth, joy

Believe in Christmas – Do something just for kicks!

We hope that you’re taking this week to relax and spend time with loved ones. The holidays offer a great opportunity not just to connect, but also to make time to explore new things that might bring us joy.

At Landing Strong we have a number of staff members who have stretched outside of their comfort zones to explore new experiences. In the photo above you’ll see Jen Whalen relaxing in a coffee shop during the opening credits of the Hallmark movie Believe in Christmas. Olivia Brown worked as an extra in the latest Stephen King movie filmed here in town. I recently performed in a Christmas concert as part of an a cappella chorus.

What all of the above have in common is that none of us had tried these activities before. Sometimes it’s only by stretching outside of our comfort zone that we discover parts of ourselves we didn’t know existed. Take a risk you never know the positive experience it might bring.

Please take a look at the programs scheduled for the year ahead. Drop us a line if there’s something that piques your interest. All programs can be signed up for in advance. We have our foundation programs, as well as some exciting new initiatives ahead of you for 2025.

 

Warmly,

 

 

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

Team Strong supports our community

Team Strong supports our community

by | Dec 6, 2024 | Belinda's Thoughts, Challenge, Change, Community, Courage, Growth, Our Team, Recovery

Team Strong supports our community

Monday was a powerful day as volunteers from our Landing Strong community gathered at the Windsor Food Bank (Matthew 25) to help with Christmas hamper preparations.

In true veteran/first responder form, we worked like a smoothly oiled machine with maximum efficiency. 500 bags were packed in just under two hours! Ashley the director at the food bank, marveled at the speed and productivity of the group. We left with an incredible sense of satisfaction and pride in our ability to give back to the community.

Our local food bank is an incredibly valuable resource supporting up to 600 individuals in West Hants monthly. This number represents a 20% increase over last year. Led tirelessly by a passionate volunteer team with Ashley and Tina at the helm, the folks at the food bank are working long hours to ensure no one in our community goes without.

Our Landing Strong community expressed great satisfaction at being able to do this volunteer work. Many noted that they felt unable to go out into the community individually to volunteer, but with the safety and support of their peers Team Strong was created.

How might you help? There’s a variety of ways. Feel free to contact Ashley or Tina through their Facebook page, or call 798-4313. You can also email matthew25windsor@gmail.com.

We’re going back as a group again soon. Please reach out to Jen if you’re interested in joining Team Strong. We welcome suggestions and ideas for other volunteer opportunities as a team, reach out anytime.

 

Warmly,

 

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