A few years ago I purchased a magic lamp for our Christmas table.
I loved it so much that I began bringing it out at the beginning of the month and illuminating the kitchen each night as we gathered for a meal.
It also proves to be handy for power outages, bringing a sense of wonder to what otherwise could be a cold evening.
My colleague Deb Eaton was so moved by it’s magical glow, swirling snow and vibrant red cardinals that she too had to have one. She shares that on cold days it makes her feel warm inside, bringing back memories of yesteryear. Deb bought a second one for her mother, as I did last year for my father.
I should really think about buying shares in the company given that such a simple item can bring such immense joy.
Itâs a true gift to find joy in small packages and unexpected places. Do you have any items that do the same for you?
Warm thoughts,
Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych. Executive Director, Landing Strong
Today marks a significant occasion as Brittney Griner, two-time Olympic gold medalist in Womenâs basketball, was released from custody after nine months of detention in Russia. CNN analyst Brandon Tensley states:
Griner, a Black queer woman isnât the only American to be detained in Russia. But her predicament stands out for how it has directed attention not only to the fact that US society undervalues professional womenâs basketball, but also the ways LGBTQ people in the US and Russia are differently marginalized.
Griner had the courage to stand up and be seen in a country that was intolerant of gender diversity. And she paid a price. A similar theme of intolerance arose recently in World Cup Soccer, serving to increase global awareness of this important issue.
For those military members and first responders who have been injured in service, a stigma exists within many institutional cultures regarding injury, particularly if the wounds are invisible. Members of minority groups within the military and first responder communities often face additional challenges in that they are doubly marginalized due to race and gender. It may seem easier to disappear.
Although we still have a long way to go, itâs good news that increasing numbers of people are speaking up and being seen and recognized. A member of our community has done so recently in a big way and finally received a well-deserved promotion. Well done!
Standing united in the desire for everyone to be seen and recognized with respect and inclusion.
Warm regards,
Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych. Executive Director, Landing Strong
p.s. Keep in mind group enrollment for a wide range of programs starting in the New Year is happening now. If we get a few more people, weâll be offering an online Emotions programme in addition to our in-person programs. Please feel free to give Julie a call or drop us a line if youâd like to sign up for any of our programs.
This Halloween, I was scheduled to attend a lunch time meeting at Kingâs-Edgehill School. Traditionally, the school makes a very big deal of HalloweenâŠEVERYONE dresses up. Wanting to be part of the fun, I decided to wear a costume. Unfortunately, what I didnât know was that the school had their dress up day the previous week.
Imagine my dismay when I found myself in full Star Trek costume surrounded by a sea of students in uniforms.
I too was in uniform, only it was from wrong planet.
Somehow, this wasnât the way I imagined this would play out.
The incidental bonus to the day is that I realized everyone I encountered was eager to join the fun. On seeing my costume, Lezlee and Jen, our Office Admin staff, ran out to Dollarama to get fun costumes and a treat bowl. Everyone smiled when greeted by a witch and a cat in the reception. Clients greeted me in the lobby with the traditional Klingon hand signals and greetings.
As the day progressed, I forgot that I was in costume, but the smiles and jokes from others reminded me that we all enjoy an excuse to laugh together.
When people feel joyful, they break into spontaneous play.
Small acts of fun truly do spark joy.
Maybe thatâs the take-away from my day. Live long, laugh and prosper
Warm regards,
Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych. Executive Director, Landing Strong
Thereâs an old shack in the bottom of the garden. Dilapidated and broken. Perhaps you know it?Â
Weâll call it the shame shed.  A place where itâs oh so easy to go. Iâve spent many a rainy Saturday afternoon there. It beacons, invitingâŠÂ
It has no real use, except to keep us trapped in a Groundhog Day of regret.  Â
I invite you to dismantle it.  Â
Let us help you take out old habits to make way for the new. View the world through a different perspective. Â
Fall is a great time to sow the seeds of change. Take a peek at the programs we have lined up. We invite you to plan ahead by giving us a call and/or dropping Julie a line to let her know which programs youâre interested in. Â
Identity and Transition: Knowing who you are once the uniform comes off (Starts September 9th)
Monthly Maintaining Health Programs: Heath boosters designed to keep you strong. New content each month (This program usually runs online, but will be held in-person on July 14th and August 18th only)Â
Warm regards,
Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych. Executive Director, Landing Strong
Looking back on my life, there are definitely things I wish Iâd done differently. Had I known up front the consequences of some decisions I made, I may have chosen another path.  Â
HmmmâŠwould I have chosen to work in the federal penitentiary? Thatâs a big one.Â
The thing is, I like who I am now. I understand peopleâs struggles because I too have been there.  Â
Iâm the bi-product of all decisions made to this point in time, good and bad. Iâve survived even my most human moments.Â
Maya Angelou stated:Â
    I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it.Â
Instead of having regrets, letâs choose to celebrate the wisdom we gain from our experiences. Cherish our scars and the stories they tell. Â
With forgiveness, and acceptance, we rise together.
Warm regards,
Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych. Executive Director, Landing Strong
Itâs hard not to ask the question, especially at this time of year. The following answers were offered by young children in response to a survey by the Couples Institute regarding the question âWhat is love?â
Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your fries without making them give you any of theirs – Chrissy age 6
Love is what makes you smile when you are tired – Terri, age 4
Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it every day – Noelle 7
Love is when mommy gives daddy the best piece of chicken – Elaine age 5
Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day – Mary Ann age 4
You really shouldnât say âI love youâ unless you mean it, But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget – Jessica age 8
 Perhaps the best example of love wasnât something that was said, but done. Leo Buscaglia shared this special moment he witnessed:
A four year old child had an elderly gentleman as a next door neighbour who had recently lost his wife.  Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentlemanâs yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there.  When his mother asked what he had said to the neighbour, the little boy said âNothing, I just helped him cryâ.
For me, love is an action.  Itâs about moving toward rather than moving away.  Itâs about staying present, even when itâs uncomfortable.  Itâs about patiently waiting through silence, until emotions can form.
Love is what keeps us whole, allows us to heal, giving the walk forward meaning.
Warm thoughts and lots of love on this Valentineâs Day,
Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych. Executive Director, Landing Strong
