This is the question I have been asking myself recently.
I know it isnât the many photos I see on Facebook – of smiling people doing exciting things. I know enough to understand that these pictures donât always tell the real story.
Maybe itâs channeling my inner Marie Kondo and decluttering my home, keeping only those things that spark warm feelingsâŠ
Perhaps itâs talking to my dogs in my best birthday party voice, watching them dance gleefully on two feet just because Iâm home.
Or maybe joy is something quieterâŠsofter. Like a calm wave that washes over me after having a good cry in the presence of a compassionate friend or partner. Or being that person for someone else as we face their deepest fears together.
Maybe joy is more about connection. Not feeling like we are in this world alone. Perhaps we experience joy when we are seen, heard and understood. Maybe itâs about being our most vulnerable selves, and still feeling accepted.
Warm thoughts from the Landing Strong Team.
Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych. Founder, Landing Strong
Please join us in the first of our health promotion series as we welcome International Award Winning author Donna Morrissey on Feb 10 from 10 am – 3:30 pm. Enjoy a fun day of expression and creativity as you find or refine your writers voice. Watch our social media for details or email Donna directly at donnamorrissey@ns.sympatico.ca Workshop fee: $125
Itâs a common question we ask ourselves, particularly during periods of change or transition.  After years of service, taking off the uniform can mean a stripping of identity.  âWho am I behind the uniform?â you may wonder.
Growing up, I dreamed of changing the world, somehow making it a kinder, gentler place. The older I grew, the more I understood this was not so simple. Today, my aspirations are more humble. Every night as I lay my head on my pillow, instead of judging whether I changed the world, I simply ask myself the following:
âHave I had a heartfelt discussion with someone today and felt a meaningful connection? Have I been a good person today?â If the answer is yes, then I sleep well. If not, then Iâm motivated to do something about it. Itâs my belief that a series of meaningful connections leads to a mountain of change, and a whole lot of purpose.
So when you look in the mirror and wonder if youâre making a difference, I challenge you to ask yourself the simple questions. Itâs my sense that the meaning and purpose will follow.
Warm wishes from the entire Landing Strong Team,
Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych. Founder, Landing Strong
Just before Christmas, I had the chance to accompany a competitive girls basketball team to a tournament in Arizona. In addition to watching some great basketball, my husband Joe and I had the opportunity for a hike up Camelback Ridge, a famous trail in Echo Canyon Park. As we passed the trailhead at 4pm, a park ranger warned us to be back down by 5:25pm. Confident and energetic, we forged ahead, making the steep climb to the peak by 5pm. At the summit, we stood proudly among a gathering of happy people enjoying the spectacular view. A friendly and hard-core looking hiker warned us that the 5:25pm deadline was real, and the park gave out tickets to anyone who is late getting off the mountain. We laughed and took a series of great photos to the warm glow of the setting sun.
Making our way down, we continued to take great photos. We started to be passed by a series of ultra-marathon looking types jogging quickly by. Enough runners passed that I started to think that maybe they knew something we didnât: either, they were being chased by wild game; or the 5:25pm penalty was real. With a surge of energy, we started to sprint down. My husband laughed at me, as heâs never seen me scamper down a mountain slope with such glee. It had become a game – Belinda versus park ranger. With sixty seconds to spare, we made it across the finish line. I looked around to give the ticketing officer a high-five, but none was to be found. Enquiries with other hikers revealed that ticketing is a practice, but seldom enforced. However, the large number of foolish hikers stranding themselves up on the mountain after dusk with only their cell phones to guide them was real. The emergency response team is frequently called to help pull people out after they injure themselves after dark.
All in all, what could have been a stressful situation ended up being the highlight of my trip. Sometimes when weâre stressed situation, itâs hard to see the silver lining. Only afterwards are we able to reflect on the strength, courage or skill it took to get ourselves out of it.
Although I know the journey that each of you is on might be difficult, we hope that you are able to take time to catch the sunset or beauty that exists within it.
Warm regards from the entire Landing Strong Team,
Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych. Founder, Landing Strong
As we gear up for the holidays, itâs easy to get caught up with the demands of the season.  For many, the extra load can feel somewhat overwhelming.  With this in mind, we have created something special for you: 8 Holiday hacks to keep your recovery on track.  In this special booklet, we offer tips and strategies for staying sane in a time of increased demand. Weâll also be sending mini versions of these strategies to you through social media channels over the next few weeks.
Want to start the New Year off right? We have some exciting new programs launching in January that we invite you to join.  Itâs important to call soon so that we can arrange insurance coverage for you to attend.
Care for the Caregiver Part 1: Supporting and Thriving
Learn Strategies to be a stronger, more resilient support for someone you care about who has PTSD or other Operational Stress Injuries
An encore presentation for those who could not get into the first round.
Monday January 7, 2019 10-3 pm
Care for the Caregiver Series Part 2: Effective communication skills
Learn strategies to reconnect in a meaningful way
Friday January 18, 2019 10-3 pm
New Year New You Part 1
This year, set yourself up for success. Regroup, recalibrate and reclaim your life. Â
A program for military members, veterans and first responders.
Friday January 11, 2019 10-3 pm
Build confidence
Reconnect with yourself
Discover your true potential
Group sizes are limited, book now to avoid disappointment. Call (902) 472-2972 for more information or email us at info@landingstrong.com.
âI just want to be happy,â the woman sitting next to me at the coffee shop exclaims to her friend, âis that too much to ask?â
Iâm trying not to listen, but have a hard time tuning her out since sheâs speaking so loudly. Â As I sip my London Fog, I wonder if she is struggling because sheâs asking the wrong question.
Everyone is talking about having a happy life. Iâm not sure such a thing exists. In true Buddhist tradition, we can’t fully appreciate joy without knowing suffering. Or love, without loneliness. I believe happiness is a byproduct of spending our time in meaningful ways, not a destination in and of itself. Itâs really about understanding the impact of the many small choices we make each day. Happiness might come from supporting a friend instead of watching Netflix, or starting that fitness program weâve been putting off. Itâs about choosing to do the hard thing, instead of settling for whatâs easy.  Itâs not always clear how important the struggle is when weâre in the midst of it. The joy of an accomplishment is in direct proportion to the challenge it presents. If it isnât hard to do, it probably isnât worth doing.
So instead of asking the question, âwhy canât I be happy?â, we should be asking, âhow have I challenged myself today?â Ultimately, itâs through meaning and purpose that we find fulfillment.
This has been a tough week. Lost lives and hate have been infecting the headlines in the morning papers. I was shaken when I read of the pipe bombs that were mailed to Democrats in the United States. Thankfully, they were intercepted before detonating. How many law enforcement officials risked their lives to move these dangerous packages away from the public? Then came the news of a hate-filled synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh, where eleven people lost their lives. Four police officers were injured in the shooting, and many more police and first responders were exposed to the scene as they worked to rescue the civilians inside. Shortly after, I learn that Indonesia’s Lion Air Flight JT-610 crashed into the sea with 189 on board. I struggle to make sense of it all.
I canât help but think back to the Swissair Flight 111 tragedy, and wonder how those affected by that event are coping with the news of a similar occurrence this week. Even for those who processed the difficult emotions they experienced as a result of Swissair and have been doing well, this recent crash is likely to trigger old memories. Recovering from trauma is possible, but making an effort to maintain our wellbeing and having ongoing support is crucial for long-term success. Overcoming trauma is not a linear process, there will be setbacks. Resilience is being able to recognize what your needs are when faced with stressors, and reaching out before they impact your life.
When I think of the scary things that can take place in public spaces, I try to remind myself of the better things people have done. I see the devastating effects that can result from just one person, but I also see flash mobs that required several people and many hours of singing, dancing and working together to create something special. During hard weeks like this one, I remind myself that those trying to better our community outnumber the disturbed few. I invite you to take a few moments to balance your exposure to the tragedy by reminders of the good that exists.
Below are links to a few videos that remind me of the abundance of light, even on a darkened evening. These videos serve to remind me that, despite the odds, by paying attention to the people immediately around us, anything is possible. Feel free to share examples of events that inspire you (info@landingstrong.com) and weâll share it with the community.
Even in a place where collaboration and cooperation are unlikely, they join together to be seen and heard. A call to not be forgotten:Â Prison’s flash mob. Michael Jackson’s song
