Finding Gold at the end of the rainbow

Finding Gold at the end of the rainbow

by | Nov 24, 2023 | Belinda's Thoughts, Community, Friday's Inspiration, Growth, joy, PTSD

Finding gold at the end of the rainbow

Today I walked to work with a skip in my step and a smile on my face.

You see, my office is close to the group room. All week, I had been hearing the animated sounds of connection as participants from three separate programs formed new bonds, shared experiences, and supported one another in their respective journeys of recovery.

I can tell the programs are going well. The warmth and laughter spill across the reception area, like the heartbeat of the building.

On Friday, as I walked to work, all I needed to do was follow the rainbow.  Literally.  It took me directly to Landing Strong.

What a happy way to end a wonderful week.

Warm thoughts,

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

Smiling at our dogs

Smiling at our dogs

by | Sep 1, 2023 | Belinda's Thoughts, Friday's Inspiration, joy, Love

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 couldn’t help but smile as I looked down on my two older dogs, and lovingly think how funny looking they are. Don’t 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 dog’s 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 dog’s face, watching the vegetables in your garden grow, proudly displaying a grandchild’s 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

Thankful for partners who pick us up

Thankful for partners who pick us up

by | Jul 21, 2023 | Belinda's Thoughts, Friday's Inspiration, Gratitude, joy, Love

Thankful for partners who pick us up

Tomorrow is a big day for me. Friends and family are flying in from across Canada to witness the marriage of my son Kyle to his beautiful bride Kaitlin. What a pleasure it will be to celebrate the joy of two happy young people who form such a strong partnership. This is the beginning of the next stage of their journey together.

I can’t help but reflect on the role of partners, spouses and friends in being witness to our lives, celebrating the good moments as well as offering support and lifting our spirits when it may be needed.

In group, we perform a similar function for one another, celebrating the wins, commiserating with challenges, and ensuring no one is walking alone.

I wanted the opportunity to share my joy with you, just as you so often share your life’s important moments with us.

Warm thoughts,

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

Beautiful sunshine for beautiful people

Beautiful sunshine for beautiful people

by | May 12, 2023 | Community, Friday's Inspiration, joy, Plan, Support

Beautiful sunshine for beautiful people

Today was a glorious day where we celebrated a deserving group of people, all of whom are receiving recognition for their contribution of service to community. Not everyone is up to attending a public event. That’s okay. Please know that we see and recognize you (you may even be receiving something special when we next see you).

I was thinking about the depth of our Landing Strong community, and the total number of years of service of our members. Some are newer in their careers, many have served over 30 years. We even have a few members who have served our country for over 40 years.

I thought it might be fun to do a little math.

185 people have gone through our programs since we opened in 2018. Let’s say the average person has served their community for 20 years. That translates into 3,700 total years of service.

This is the stuff on which nations are built.

I’m proud to know you, and to be connected to such an impressive group of individuals.

Warm thoughts,

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