Recovery is a Journey not a Destination
Recovery is a Journey not a Destination
Many people when they face a setback in their recovery may think, âOh Iâm not as far along as I thought I was.â When in fact, its simply a bump on the road. Not an indication that they werenât where they thought they were.
There will be many bumps, thatâs natural. Just like how an athlete wonât run their best run every day, you too will have ups and downs on the road of recovery.
How do we stay strong when the journey feels so long? By simply taking note of small wins, we fuel ourselves for the longer journey.
One of the unique things about group therapy is newer members get the chance to meet people further along the road. It helps to trust the process, knowing that if you just keep walking, youâll get to where you want to be.
Warm thoughts,
Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych.
Executive Director, Landing Strong
What’s your Thanksgiving Back-up plan?
What’s your Thanksgiving Backup Plan?
It must be Friday, because once again thereâs a potential storm forecast this Thanksgiving weekend.
I donât know about you, but Iâm taking special joy in finding hacks to dodge the weather. Turkey remains on the menu, but we donât necessarily need electricity to make this meal a success. Slow-roasted turkey over a charcoal BBQ provides a heavenly smoky flavor that has spoiled me for life.
What work arounds do you have to ensure the potentially wet weather doesnât dampen your spirits?
Although we all have our special ways of preparing this time honored meal, ultimately, we know that Thanksgiving is about so much more.
This weekend offers an opportunity to practice gratitude, for the richness of our lives, the people in it and the beautiful province and country that we live in.
Regardless of the weather I feel grateful!
Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych.
Executive Director, Landing Strong
Do I stay or do I go?
Do I stay or do I go?Â
Itâs not always an easy decision. You may not feel as though things are quite right, but those around you might not see it. At what point do you make the decision to take time off and prioritize your health?
Youâve been trained to push through the challenging times. If youâve been âmanagingâ well enough in your current role, how do you justify taking a step back, whether it be in your career, volunteer activities or even social life? In reality, the only person who truly knows the depths of whatâs going on is you.
If you feel that you need some time to focus on your health and wellbeing, weâre here to help walk you through this process and get you to where you want to be. Luckily, this does not have to be an all or nothing decision. There is skill in knowing how to take snips of meaningful time for yourself, ensuring you are re-filling the well as you water the garden.
At work, we routinely assessed and prioritize situations. What would this look like if you applied the same concepts to your personal life? What tasks or commitments would you cut down on? Are there any areas that need attention?
How often are you carving out time to hand out with friends or do activities that you enjoy?
Is your bedtime allowing you enough time to rest?
Is your food and water consumption supporting your health and energy throughout the day?
Do you have activities that inspire you?
Warm thoughts,
Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych.
Executive Director, Landing Strong
Smiling at our dogs
Smiling at our dogs
This week, a close friend of mine got a new puppy. The puppy is unbelievably cute, filling the house with joyful excitement. I couldnât help but smile as I looked down on my two older dogs, and lovingly think how funny looking they are. Donât get me wrong, they have their cute moments. But late at night, when overtired, they often resemble gargoyles or gremlins.
How often do you smile simply because you are appreciating the beauty or amusement of a dogâs face? Can you find joy even in the humour?
Todays note is really about finding small things in your daily life that spark joy. Whether it is your dogâs face, watching the vegetables in your garden grow, proudly displaying a grandchildâs crayon masterpiece on your fridge, or making the perfect cup of coffee, these are little moments that make our day.
It may not be a day of big accomplishments, but it can still be a good one due to an accumulation of tiny perfect moments.
Warm thoughts,
Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych.
Executive Director, Landing Strong
Are you sleeping at night?
Are you sleeping at night?
“Mindfulness is a way of befriending ourselves and our experience.”
–Â Jon Kabat-Zinn
This week my sleep has been elusive. I know why. Iâve been watching too much news that documents multiple natural disasters as they unfold. My heart and thoughts have been with people around the world struggling as they face adversity.
Our humanity compels us to watch, but the format of presentation, jumping from story to story and image to image, does not allow for mindful processing of what we witness.
I know that itâs only by acknowledging the impact things have on us that we are able to properly attend to our needs.
What I really need to do is find a moment when I can simply be still and present with my emotions.
Doing art is a helpful activity that allows me to make sense of my day.
If I allow myself this time for reflection, I will sleep better.
Is there any part in your day that allows you to pause and reflect on how you are doing? What might carving out this time for yourself look like?
Thereâs no âright wayâ of doing mindfulness. Itâs a matter of what is right for you.
Warm thoughts,
Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych.
Executive Director, Landing Strong
