Kindness rocks

Kindness rocks

Kindness rocks

I arrived at work recently and to my delight discovered the front entrance of Landing Strong sprinkled with kindness rocks. On each step and at every turn was an encouraging comment designed to uplift the day of anyone entering the building.

‘Spread your wings and fly’
‘You are enough’
‘Be happy, Be Kind, Be strong, Be you’

Handcrafted with love, someone dear to our community took the time to spread loving thoughts.

Although these are acts of kindness designed for others, I’m aware that in creating these precious gifts the artist themselves is practicing selfcare in a positive powerful way.


What we do and how we spend our time when relaxing really matters. Spring is a perfect time to reflect on our habits and patterns of behavior ensuring that we are filling our cup, rather than emptying it.

What hobbies or past times do you practice that support your health?

If you haven’t yet taken it, now is the perfect time to sign up for our Healthy Living program, our mornings are at Landing Strong and afternoons at Maker’s Studio.  Contact Julie to sign up: info@landingstrong.com or 902-472-2972. 

 

Warmly,

 

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

When life gives you lemons

When life gives you lemons

When life gives you lemons 

 

A couple years ago I wrote a blog about surviving the dreariness of Covid isolation by growing lemons and limes indoors.

One of the trees has done well. The second, a scraggly rag-tag bush, has struggled. This past summer, I almost threw it out, convinced I had killed it. Instead, I poured love into it, doing my best to nurture it back to health.

The photo above shows what one of the branches produced this week; three glorious lemons.

How is it possible, you might ask, that something so little can produce something so big? Ah, isn’t that the picture of resilience!

Like the lemon tree, you too might at times have felt less than the best version of yourself. With love, care and nurturing, growth is inevitable.

We’re currently loading our Healthy Living program: May 20th, 27th, June 3rd,17th, 24th. We also have just a couple spaces left in our Surviving to Thriving retreat: April 27-May 2. Call us today to sign up. 902-472-2972 or info@landingstrong.com

 

Warmly,

 

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

Good things are just around the corner

Good things are just around the corner

Good things are just around the corner

This week, when we turn on the news or look out the window, everything feels grey. It’s easy to get overwhelmed. Instead, I choose to be intentional about introducing color and positive energy into my life. Starting with these beautiful tulips.

Given to me a week ago, it’s astonishing to see how they keep getting stronger and more beautiful. It makes no sense. Even though the sun’s not shining, these resilient flowers are pushing their way forward, toward brightness and life.


What if we all did the same? We need not see sunny skies to know they are just around the corner.

How are you bringing color into your life? Are you able to be intentional about introducing pockets of beauty and joy into a week that could otherwise be hard?

We’ve got some great group programs coming up. Monday April 7th we have our half-day Community Connections where we’ll be creating an Easter themed craft. We are also loading up our Healthy Living program Tuesdays May 20th, 27th, June 3rd,17th, 24th, and our Surviving to Thriving retreat April 27th-May 2nd has just a couple seats left. Connect today to save your seat: info@landingstrong.com or 902-472-2972

 

Warmly,

 

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

When helpers need help

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

Taking time to notice the beauty

Taking time to notice the beauty

Taking time to notice the beauty

Driving back from Halifax recently, I was rewarded with a breathtaking sunset. Once I arrived home, I witnessed a brilliant beam of light shining directly upwards, illuminating a Canadian flag.

I believe it was the universe’s way of reminding me to take the time to appreciate the beauty that surrounds us. I am grateful for our country and the people who have fought to protect it. I am grateful for our lands and the abundance of rivers, lakes, and streams. Most importantly, I’m grateful for the people in my life who enrich my day-to-day experience.

Landing Strong is a powerful part of my internal community. I hope it is for you too. The good news is there’s always room for one more.

We’re currently filling seats for our Overcoming Trauma & Building Resiliency program, and Navigating Next Steps program. Call today to learn more or to save your seat. 902-472-2972 or email info@landingstrong.com

 

Warmly,

 

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

Waiting for the weather to change

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