Rooted together
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Rooted together |
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Warmly,
Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych.
Executive Director, Landing Strong
When helpers need help
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
Waiting for the weather to change
Waiting for the weather to change
Winter can feel long as we tire of early darkness and long winter nights. So too can recovery from PTSD. We may be impatient for change, eagerly awaiting the return of sunshine and warmth in our lives.
The bad news is that nature doesn’t fast-track spring just because we want it to. Similarly, wanting to get better quickly often has the adverse effect of slowing it down. It’s only by fully understanding and processing the emotions connected with traumatic injury that we can change the seasons of our experience.
The winter of your injuries will transform into spring if you take the steps to help that happen. Stick with it, and soon enough you’ll be enjoying the warm days of summer again.
We are now filling seats for our Overcoming Trauma & Building Resilience program, and we have just a few seats left for our women-only Surviving to Thriving program. Perhaps this is your time to get on the list?
Warmly,
Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych.
Executive Director, Landing Strong
Times they are a-chagin’
Times, they are a-changin’
When I was a little girl, one of the most exciting things about Christmas was the Eaton’s catalog. I’d pour through the many toy-filled pages, salivate at the thought of eating the fancy nut and chocolate mixes, and nonchalantly circle items of interest on the off chance that my parents would notice.
Those days are gone. Eaton’s no longer exists. Instead of children taunting tired-looking elves while lining up to see Santa at the mall, I recently noticed that children now appear to be taking a rocket ship to intercept Old Saint Nick somewhere in space.
Which traditions do you hold dear, and which have shifted to keep with the times? Whether you are celebrating the holidays on planet Earth or in an extravagant celestial orbit, we wish you all the best for the holiday season.
To each and every member of our Landing Strong community, know that you are in our thoughts and hearts.
Warmly,
Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych.
Executive Director, Landing Strong
Are you on your list?
Are you on your list?
This is a busy time of year when we often start making lists.
These lists often focus on things we need to do for others, seldom do they reflect activities we need to do for ourselves. As you enter the holiday season I invite you to set aside time to reflect on how far you’ve come, and what steps you might like to take moving forward.
On our website, you see lists of all the programs for the year ahead. Now is the perfect time to plan your recovery journey. Ideally, we would have you sign up for all the programs you are potentially interested in.
The first of our foundation series, “Stop Faking Good Start Feeling Good” emotions management program starts in January. We appreciate you signing up in advance so that we know how many cohorts to run.
For those who’ve already completed the foundation series, we have some new and exciting offerings:
• Make time for mindfulness. A 9-week MBSR program (Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction) might be the perfect way to ring in the new year. Two hours per week for eight weeks plus assigned home practices with a half-day finale.
• We have an assortment of exciting Community Connection activities and outings lined up for you.
• We’re exploring the possibility of running a CBT insomnia program. If interested let Julie know so we can add your name to the list.
• In February, we’ll offer a week-long holistic wellness program for women affected by military and work-related sexual misconduct. This is a small-sized program so it’s not too early to get your name on the list.
So, while caring for others, please take the time to care for yourself.
Warmly,
Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych.
Executive Director, Landing Strong
Finding beauty in unexpected places
Late this past Saturday afternoon, as Nova Scotians were swept in a swirl of snow, Torontonians were bathed in unexpected sunshine.
Moderate temperatures and clear blue skies had coaxed even the most hesitant outdoors.
I was leaving the hospital after a good visit with my father and came upon an unexpected sight; on the slope of a large hill sat dozens of families and couples enjoying picnics. Behind them stood a large crowd of onlookers all gazing across the park below. I wondered if a concert was about to begin and thought maybe it had already started since many people had their cameras out, all pointed in the same direction. I could hear nothing, nor see anyone performing in the natural amphitheater below.
Then I realized what everyone was gazing at: a glorious sunset spreading its last rays over the skyline of the city. Like animals waking from deep hibernation, people had stumbled outdoors, dazed by the beauty of the mid-winter sun.
Even in the greyest of winters, we can find windows of warmth and light.
I hope that now you have dug yourselves out from under, you too are able to pause and catch glimpses of the unexpected beauty that surrounds us.
Warm thoughts in a wintery week,
Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych.
Executive Director, Landing Strong
