We never really know what’s to come

We never really know what’s to come

by | Jul 25, 2025 | Belinda's Thoughts, Caregivers, Challenge, Compassion, Gratitude, joy, Love, Self-Care

 We never really know what’s to come

Eighteen months ago, my 92-year-old father was told he likely had between two weeks and two months to live. At the time, we braced ourselves, quietly preparing for goodbye. But here we are, another summer unfolding, and happily he’s still with us.

Life for him is much simpler now. Though he can no longer hold a paintbrush, his artist’s eye remains beautifully intact. As I take him for slow strolls through the neighbourhood in his wheelchair, he soaks in the details: the deep blue of the hydrangeas, the dappled light through the trees, the subtle shifts of colour in the sky. His gaze lingers, noticing what many of us miss in our hurry.

He smiles kindly at passersby, waves hello to strangers, and sometimes when the noise of the world becomes too much, he quietly removes his hearing aid, choosing instead the peace of his own inner world. It’s not withdrawal; it’s discernment. A gentle choice to rest in stillness.

There’s something profoundly moving in witnessing how he navigates this time, not with fear or regret, but with gratitude. His presence reminds me that while we can’t control how long we have, we can choose how we show up each day.

There is a grace in how he has accepted life on life’s terms, no resistance, no panic. Just a deep, abiding appreciation for what is, rather than what might be.

There’s a lesson in that.

We often try to predict and plan, to carve certainty out of uncertainty. But life doesn’t follow our timelines or expectations. It offers both hardship and hope in unpredictable measure.

Whether you’re in a season of grief, healing, or quiet joy, may you find space to breathe deeply and take in the moment.  None of us truly knows how much time we have, but there is beauty in the not knowing. Sometimes, the greatest gift is simply another summer.

It’s not too early to late to sign up for Community Connections Monday.  We’ll have fun with a game or two of Disc Golf.  No experience necessary.   

Please contact Julie to sign up: info@landingstrong.com or 902-472-2972. 

 

Warmly,

 

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

Spaces that soothe

Spaces that soothe

by | Jul 4, 2025 | Anxiety, Balance, joy, Mindfulness, Recovery, Resilience

 Spaces that soothe

I recently visited the Purdy Crawford Centre for the Arts in Sackville, New Brunswick, and found myself unexpectedly moved by the student lounge. It wasn’t extravagant or flashy…quite the opposite. The space was calm, inviting. What caught my attention most were the pillows: textured, varied in shape and weight, clearly chosen with intention. They weren’t just decorative. They were designed to soothe.

In a setting where students often carry the weight of deadlines, expectations, and social demands, this space offered quiet reassurance. It said, You belong. You’re allowed to rest here.

It made me reflect on the environments we create, for ourselves and others. So often, we power through our days without noticing the subtle stressors in our surroundings. Noise, clutter, harsh lighting, or even the absence of softness can wear on us over time. But what if we thought differently? What if we gave ourselves permission to design spaces, physical and emotional, that comfort and calm us?

At Landing Strong, we talk a lot about self-regulation and nervous system care. But it isn’t just about internal coping strategies. It’s also about our external world: the textures, sounds, and settings that either support or strain us.

The student lounge reminded me that caring for ourselves doesn’t need to be complex. Sometimes it starts with a soft pillow, a quiet corner, or the courage to make room for calm.

 

Warmly,

 

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

Big things are just around the corner

Big things are just around the corner

by | Jun 6, 2025 | Belinda's Thoughts, Challenge, Community, Courage, Creativity, Growth, joy

Big things are just around the corner

I know it’s coming, do you?

In previous years the staff at Landing Strong put on our annual Recognition Celebration. It’s a time where we pause to recognize the contribution to community of our Landing Strong members, as well as their efforts made to restore health.

This year the celebration is taking a different form. We are excited to be hosting the celebration in conjunction with our first ever Artisanal Fair.

This offers an opportunity for veterans and first responders to showcase their creative works, often symbolic of their journeys of recovery.

Our first organizational meeting was met with 17 enthusiastic members, eager to participate to ensure this event is a success.

Many of you have already signed up, don’t worry, we have an artist’s table reserved for you.

On a personal note, I’m excited for the formal launch of two books.
Summiting your PTSD Mountain: Lessons from Kilimanjaro and Standing Strong a workbook for Veterans and First Responders Navigating the Stress of Service. Free copies of both will be available to those who attend!

This event is open to the public from 3:30-5:00 pm. For members of our Landing Strong community, you are invited to arrive at 1:45pm, for our private Recognition Celebration that begins at 2:00 pm.

In lieu of admission we are accepting non-perishable donations to the Matthew 25 food bank.

Please help us spread the word! We hope to see you there!

 

Warmly,

 

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

An artist in each of us

An artist in each of us

by | May 23, 2025 | Courage, Creativity, Growth, joy

An artist in each of us

Many people claim that they don’t have artistic ability. I beg to differ.

As part of recovery, within each of us there is an inevitable artistic side waiting to come out. It might take the shape of watercolors, pastels, ceramics, glassworks, textiles or woodcraft. Hesitant to show itself at first, the budding artist can’t help but blossom when nurtured and allowed an opportunity to grow.

A group of women recently completed a 5-day retreat with us, creating inspiration cards on which they wrote motivational quotes to guide them on their journeys. For some, it is something they have already been practicing and wish to continue, for others it’s a thought or practice they aspire to.

Recovery takes the form of vibrant shapes and colors, inspirational quotes, and communities of people bonded by shared experiences. It involves reflection, self-expression, listening and feeling seen and understood. It requires the courage to stand up and give voice to words that may not yet have been uttered.

We applaud the work each of you are doing and celebrate the creative growth that inevitably ensues.

Please come witness some of the tremendous examples of fun and creativity of our Landing Strong community at our Artisanal Fair on Friday June 13th.

This event will be exclusive to our Landing Strong community from 2pm-3:30pm, the General Public will be welcomed to join us from 3:30pm-5:00pm. Come for the first hour or so or stay for the entire time. We hope to see you there.

 

Warmly,

 

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

Kindness rocks

Kindness rocks

by | May 9, 2025 | Community, Compassion, Creativity, Gratitude, joy, Self-Care

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

Birds of a feather flock together

Birds of a feather flock together

by | Jan 3, 2025 | Belinda's Thoughts, Courage, Creativity, Growth, joy

Birds of a feather flock together

On a recent trip to Toronto, I came across these seven fine feathered friends. While the cold winds were blowing around them, they were relaxing comfortably together sharing the heat of their bodies as well as the warm air from the subway system that vented up from below.

Naturally, the first thing I thought of was Landing Strong. We all benefit from the strength and warmth of companionship.

While the world outside might seem cold at times, together we create a climate of warmth of comfort. There are no strangers to this place, only friends we haven’t yet met.

There’s room for plenty more. If we haven’t heard from you yet, we’d love to. Give us a call or drop us a line anytime. 902-472-2972 or info@landingstrong.com.

Our Emotions Management program starts in less than two weeks. We still have a few seats left and would love to meet you.

 

Warmly,

 

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