Looking for the good stuff

Looking for the good stuff

by | Jul 12, 2024 | Belinda's Thoughts, Friday Inspiration, Gratitude, joy, Mindfulness

Looking for the good stuff

My house is sagging. Literally.

This last weekend while the roof was being replaced, torrents of rain found their way gleefully down through the ceilings and walls of the century-old house. We returned from the cottage on Sunday night only to realize that our home was far from habitable.

It’s been a slog sorting things out. Luckily the team from System Care is tending to the cleanup, dehumidifying, sealing, and inflating our house like a hot-air balloon.

It is at times like this that life can feel a little bit overwhelming.

I was shopping for groceries last night and purchased some Bok choy to add to an Asian stir-fry I had planned for dinner. My strategy was to overcompensate in nutrition which we lacked in physical comfort this week. Of course, I may have thrown in a couple of pieces of double chocolate fudge cake for dessert.
Here in lies the yin and yang of the universe.

Sitting at the lake house last evening, enjoying the pastel cloud reflections on the still water, I couldn’t possibly have enjoyed my cake more. For at least that moment, all seemed well in the world.

When we have those hard weeks, and things feel like an uphill battle, it’s important to build in small moments of joy. In your journey of recovery please take the time to notice the good stuff. Even if it’s something as small as enjoying a good piece of cake.

Warm thoughts,

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

Meet my friend Mayan

Meet my friend Mayan

by | Mar 22, 2024 | Belinda's Thoughts, Communication, Compassion, Friday Inspiration, Gratitude

Following injury, many veterans and first responders are faced with the dilemma of whether they will return to their former occupations.

During my trip to Tanzania, in a remote community on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, I met Mayan, a local goatherd. Even at the age of seven, he understood his destiny.

Shy at first, he quickly warmed up when he saw his 40 goats surrounding me in an attempt to snag my bowl of afternoon popcorn. Grateful for his assistance I rewarded him with half of the bowl, and we happily sat on a large rock, watching the sunset, sharing the crunchy treat.

I can’t help but wonder at the vast difference between our two worlds. The choices we have in comparison to the predestined fate of the Maasai people.

I’m grateful for our choices, but appreciative of the simple and happy life they lead.

Warm thoughts,

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

A day at the market like no other

A day at the market like no other

by | Mar 15, 2024 | Belinda's Thoughts, Communication, Friday Inspiration, Gratitude, joy

This week I had the opportunity to meet some Maasai women living by the plains of the Serengeti who were selling their beaded handiwork.

After the expected amount of haggling, I struck a deal with one of them and purchased a few bracelets. Pleased with the exchange, she spit in her hand and held it out for me to shake.

Naturally I accepted her offer and shook back, knowing it was a mutual sign of agreement and respect.

Knowing the local customs sometimes takes a leap of faith. Like those who are transitioning out of military careers, understanding the norms and nuances of civilian life can come as somewhat of a culture shock.

Allowing yourself patience and grace is an important part of the journey.

Warm thoughts,

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

Finding beauty in unexpected places

Finding beauty in unexpected places

by | Feb 9, 2024 | Belinda's Thoughts, Community, Friday's Inspiration, Gratitude, Resilience, Self-Awareness

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

The art of being present

The art of being present

by | Feb 2, 2024 | Belinda's Thoughts, Friday's Inspiration, Gratitude, Mindfulness, Self-Awareness

It is February 2nd – Groundhog Day.

Legend has it that if the groundhog emerges from its den and sees its shadow, it will retreat, and winter will slog on for another six weeks. If it doesn’t see its shadow, spring will arrive early. Judging by the amount of snow we’ve had this week winter is far from over.

In the early darkness of winter evenings, I sometimes catch myself wishing the days away, yearning for the warmth and light that come with spring. Dark winter nights can have a distinct Groundhog Day feel to them.

As much as I’m excited for the sunshine ahead, I’m determined to appreciate the season that I’m in. This past Monday brought with it a slate of school closings, a massive dump of snow and sporadic white out conditions. After considerable debate about whether we should go out for our lunchtime stroll, Mackenzie and I forged out to enjoy a surprisingly pleasant walk through the winter storm. From the inside it looked foreboding, but once outside we were able to appreciate the beauty of fresh snow, enjoying the squeals of laughter rising from children playing gleefully in a snowbank as we passed.

I feel the bite of winter air as I step out each morning and am reminded of the gift it is to wake up and commute to work on foot.

Don’t get me wrong – I’ll take blue skies over grey and a surplus of sunshine over shovelling snow any day of the week. But I’ll continue to practice presence and find gratitude on even the coldest of days.

Regardless of whether the groundhog sees its shadow or not, I hope you will join me in practicing the art of being present, and find some little ways to be grateful for the season that we are in.

I don’t believe that chunky rodent is clairvoyant anyway.

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.

Warmly,

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

Possibility of Wonderful.

Possibility of Wonderful.

by | Oct 27, 2023 | Belinda's Thoughts, Friday's Inspiration, From Belinda, Gratitude, joy, Love

Possibility of Wonderful

Have you met my husband Joe? AKA: ‘The Frenchy’s King’. His superpower is to hit any Guy’s Frenchys in Nova Scotia and within minutes, have his arms loaded with designer athletic gear that looks great!


Me? I’m not so lucky. On the few occasions I actually buy something for myself, I take it home only to realize the outfit does not at all match my imagination of what it would look like on. Think of me in a large paper bag. That’s the look.

However… I’m going to let you in on a secret that I haven’t admitted to many people… I go to Frenchy’s frequently to buy ridiculous amounts of gorgeous baby clothes. It’s become a thing.
I have an entire cupboard dedicated to tiny outfits, adorable sleepers, and little onesies. It is over-stuffed with a wide assortment of beautiful baby items, many of them new with tags still attached. I can’t make much sense of this, except to confess that I’m preparing for ‘the possibly of wonderful’.


I know its just around the corner! Whether it’s for a friend, neighbor, or a member of the family, I’m going to one of the first to show up for the celebration!

Not only that, but I’ve also developed my own style of packaging. Carefully creating wonderful baskets- assembling them like rainbows in a manner that brings me joy!

What ideas or themes do you play in your mind in the preparation of wonderful? Are you actively practicing it? Or silently rehearsing it? Our thoughts do create our realities…

Warm thoughts,

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