Magic Lamp

Magic Lamp

by | Jan 26, 2023 | Belinda's Thoughts, Friday's Inspiration, Gratitude, joy, Love

Itā€™s January, a perfect time for new beginnings.

In a world brimming with constant activity and incessant stimuli, our living spaces often mirror the chaos we might experience in daily life. Clutter accumulates, objects pile up, and our surroundings can become overwhelming.

The act of purging goes beyond mere decluttering; it’s a transformative process that transcends the physical realm. It involves sifting through belongings, evaluating their significance, and intentionally parting ways with items that no longer serve a purpose or bring genuine joy.

Like the Tasmanian Devil, I am whirling around our home donating or chucking out items that no longer serve us. My goal is to rid our home of one bag per day. Joe is not quite sure what is going on. To be fair, I may not have given him the heads up, but by osmosis he canā€™t help but jump on the decluttering train.

Instead of winter darkness, I’m fuelled by internal light. One small piece at a time, one day at a time, I vow to emerge from my clutter, making room for what matters most.

Warm thoughts,

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

Magic Lamp

Magic Lamp

by | Jan 26, 2023 | Belinda's Thoughts, Friday's Inspiration, Gratitude, joy, Love

A few years ago I purchased a magic lamp for our Christmas table.

I loved it so much that I began bringing it out at the beginning of the month and illuminating the kitchen each night as we gathered for a meal.

It also proves to be handy for power outages, bringing a sense of wonder to what otherwise could be a cold evening.

My colleague Deb Eaton was so moved by it’s magical glow, swirling snow and vibrant red cardinals that she too had to have one. She shares that on cold days it makes her feel warm inside, bringing back memories of yesteryear. Deb bought a second one for her mother, as I did last year for my father.

I should really think about buying shares in the company given that such a simple item can bring such immense joy.

Itā€™s a true gift to find joy in small packages and unexpected places. Do you have any items that do the same for you?

Warm thoughts,

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

Life Lessons from the bees

Life Lessons from the bees

by | Aug 19, 2022 | Belinda's Thoughts, Friday's Inspiration, Mindfulness, Resilience

Life Lessons from the bees

Last year I planted a small Greek Oregano plant. This spring, it germinated, but instead of being a small herb, it took the form of a woody bush. I thought about cutting it down as it was unsightly, but when I leaned in, realized it was literally a hive of activity. This one plant was filled with HUNDREDS of buzzing honey bees.

This plant that I almost pulled had become the most valuable contributor in the garden

Following injury, we donā€™t always understand ourĀ purpose and may lament the fact that we are no longer the person we used to be. The thing is, our skills and strengths never really disappear. They just show up unexpectedly in forms we might not recognize or be accustomed to. Itā€™s often a matter of simply leaning inĀ and looking more closely.

OurĀ Identity and TransitionĀ program is about knowing who we are outside of our work roles. Mining down to the values that define us.

Creating Confidence and Clarifying StrengthsĀ focusses on reclaiming personal power.

Call now if either call to you.

Warm Regards,

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

The medicine of meditation

The medicine of meditation

by | Jul 29, 2022 | Belinda's Thoughts, Friday's Inspiration, Gratitude, Mindfulness, Resilience

The medicine of meditation

InĀ The Art of Doing Nothing, Veronique Vienne notes the word meditate has the same root as the word medicine.Ā  All you have to do is look at Buddha to know that he is indeed a happy man.Ā  I mean, it takes effort to smile that much.

Clearing our minds of the traffic jam of daily life is no simple feat.Ā  In fact, few people can maintain a calm composure for more than a couple of minutes.Ā  The moment I think Iā€™m getting there, I suddenly remember theĀ grocery items I have to pick up on the way homeā€¦ or a report I have to writeā€¦ or what Iā€™m going to have for dinner.

Veronique Vienne writes that, paradoxically, it is when we accept that we canā€™t meditate that the meditation starts to work.Ā  Instead of being a success-oriented venture, the practice becomes a humble reminder of how difficult it is for any of us to stay in touch with ordinary reality.

My strategy over this next month is to do a small drawing meditation each day.Ā  Many of you have joined in our artistic sessions atĀ Makerā€™sĀ where weā€™ve learned to do just that.Ā  The focus isnā€™t on creating good art.Ā  Itā€™s simply on creating.

How wonderful would it be for us to draw or write together.Ā  Our SeptemberĀ Identity and Transition programĀ uses meaningful discussion and creative practices to create opportunities for exploring who you are beyond your uniform.Ā  If you havenā€™t yet signed up itā€™s not too late.Ā  Just give us a call or dropĀ JulieĀ a line.

Warm regards,

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

What is love anyway?

What is love anyway?

by | Feb 12, 2021 | Belinda's Thoughts, Communication, Friday's Inspiration, Love, Wisdom

Itā€™s hard not to ask the question, especially at this time of year. The following answers were offered by young children in response to a survey by the Couples Institute regarding the question ā€œWhat is love?ā€  

Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your fries without making them give you any of theirs
– Chrissy age 6

Love is what makes you smile when you are tired
– Terri, age 4

Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it every day
– Noelle 7

Love is when mommy gives daddy the best piece of chicken
– Elaine age 5

Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day
– Mary Ann age 4

You really shouldnā€™t say ā€˜I love youā€™ unless you mean it,  But if you mean it, you should say it a lot.  People forget
– Jessica age 8

Ā 
Perhaps the best example of love wasnā€™t something that was said, but done.Ā Leo Buscaglia shared this special moment he witnessed:

A four year old child had an elderly gentleman as a next door neighbour who had recently lost his wife.Ā Ā Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentlemanā€™s yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there.Ā Ā When his mother asked what he had said to the neighbour, the little boy said ā€œNothing, I just helped him cryā€.

For me, love is an action.Ā Ā Itā€™s about moving toward rather than moving away.Ā Ā Itā€™s about staying present, even when itā€™s uncomfortable.Ā Ā Itā€™s about patiently waiting through silence, until emotions can form.

Love is what keeps us whole, allows us to heal, giving the walk forward meaning.

Warm thoughts and lots of love on this Valentineā€™s Day,

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

The discomfort of being in transit

The discomfort of being in transit

by | Dec 18, 2020 | Belinda's Thoughts, Friday's Inspiration, Growth, Recovery

Have you ever noticed the expression on peopleā€™s faces when theyā€™re riding the subway?  Itā€™s a specific look: slack face, eyes downcast staring intently at an imaginary object on the floor.  Some people wear ear buds, some read their digital novels, others close their eyes and escape to their thoughts to pass the time.  Thereā€™s something about being in transit thatā€™s uncomfortable.  Weā€™re willing to endure it, because it doesn’t last and it’s taking us somewhere we want to be.  Like an ill-fitting coat, weā€™ll put up with it temporarily because we know that, in a short time, weā€™ll be able to take it off and be somewhere better.

If youā€™re feeling a bit uncomfortable with the spot youā€™re in,Ā know that it’sĀ normal.Ā  It can feel like a long dark tunnel, where youā€™re impatiently waiting to get to your destination. Itā€™s good to remind ourselves that any good trip has periods of discomfort.Ā Ā Itā€™s the nature of transit.Ā Ā Donā€™t let it scare you.Ā Ā Itā€™s worth the journey.Ā Ā 

Warm regards,

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