How are you colouring your world?

How are you colouring your world?

by | Aug 9, 2024 | Belinda's Thoughts, Forgiveness, Friday Inspiration, Mindfulness, Resilience, Wisdom

How are you colouring your world?

While walking home from work the other day, this beautiful sight caught my eye. Some people might see a sidewalk. For this little girl, it was a canvas waiting to be painted.

Our thoughts really do become our reality. They shape our world.

If I wake up in the morning fearful of the bad things that might happen in my day, I’m surely going to selectively attend to the unpleasant aspects of life. If on the other hand, I wake up thinking of the world in technicolor, this too, can pave my reality as the day unfolds. The day begins before we get out of bed. It often starts the night before, by the way we put ourselves to sleep.

What loving practices, self-care routines, or aspirations do you build on to set yourself up for a colourful day of abundance?

 

Warm thoughts,

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

Houston, we have a problem

Houston, we have a problem

by | Aug 2, 2024 | Belinda's Thoughts, Forgiveness, Friday Inspiration, Mindfulness, Resilience, Wisdom

Houston, we have a problem.

I have a problem. It’s a Canada Goose problem.

Don’t get me wrong, I love our iconic Canadian feathered friends, but I don’t love their poop.

Despite my best efforts, the lawn at our lake house is covered with their dark tarry mess. I bought an owl, designed to scare them away. It seems this plan backfired. This owl soon became their best friend. I come home from work only to find the geese nestled lovingly beside her, their numbers growing with each passing day.

Many people are hesitant to join our programs, thinking they may, like the owl, scare others off. Perhaps there’s a fear of not fitting in. Newcomers to Landing Strong frequently report how quickly they felt at ease and settled into our group programs.

Once you arrive, you too may quickly learn that birds of a feather, flock together. We may look different, but underneath it all, our shared experiences unite us.

We’re currently enrolling for our Identity & Transition program, as well as our brand new Community Connection program.

As always, our monthly Maintaining Health series is open to all members of our community.

Warm thoughts,

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

Slow down in order to speed up

Slow down in order to speed up

by | Jul 26, 2024 | Belinda's Thoughts, Friday Inspiration, Mindfulness, Resilience

Slow down in order to speed up

When I stand in line at the ice cream parlor, I order a single scoop, but I’m secretly hoping the server will be generous with portions. I understand that if they rush in serving the outcome won’t be as satisfying.

The principle of being prepared to wait for anything worthwhile extends beyond ice cream. It also applies to recovery from injury. Recovery isn’t always as quick as one might hope.

I was speaking with a veteran recently, who reminded me of the principles of close-quarter combat. Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.

In any tactical training, we know it’s important to take time to settle and focus before forging ahead. There’s a period of stillness required in order to achieve maximum gains. The bottom line is we often have to slow down in order to speed up.

What habits or practices help you pause and appreciate your inner calm?

It’s a beautiful time of year, with opportunities abound.

Warm thoughts,

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

Continuing To Make A Difference In Big Ways

Continuing To Make A Difference In Big Ways

by | Jun 7, 2024 | Belinda's Thoughts, Friday Inspiration, Leadership, Resilience, Wisdom

Continuing to make a difference in big ways

This week I have a wonderful story to share. I recently was at the airport when I ran into a group of very fit, happy looking men, among whom was our friend and Landing Strong community member Constable Kristopher Hansen. A few weeks later, I received an email from Kris:

Seeing you at the airport a couple weeks ago, I was going on a trip with my entire [HRP] shift for a weekend. I am pretty happy to be working with a team of officers that are also friends. It’s been a very refreshing year for me, and a testament to how when things are at their worst, they do get better if you are willing to trust others…

Yesterday I was awarded another Gold MADD Canada Cst. Heidi Stevenson’s Watch Award (that makes 2 in a row) for my efforts in impaired driving in 2023. Being able to continue using the skills I learned for her to keep her name alive, has helped me feel like she is continuing to make a difference through me (and the other officers who received this award), which is one of my proudest achievements outside of my family.

I couldn’t think of someone I wanted to share this news with more than you and everyone at Landing Strong.

Joining Kris in the photo are his partner Stephanie and two of his three children. Proud moments indeed on all sides. Looking at this photo makes me grin from ear to ear! This fella has the world by the tail.

Thanks so much, Kris for sharing your news and allowing us to celebrate with you.

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

Resurgence of the poinsettia – a story of resilience

Resurgence of the poinsettia – a story of resilience

by | Dec 8, 2023 | Belinda's Thoughts, Community, Friday's Inspiration, Growth, Recovery, Resilience

Resurgence of the poinsettia – a story of resilience

Around this time last year, we were gifted a healthy and vibrant poinsettia. These red flowering plants are a symbol of the Christmas season, and we loved how it brightened the waiting area with a pop of holiday cheer.

Christmastime came and went, and this beautiful plant was moved from its central location on the coffee table to a corner of the waiting room, where it continued to show-off it’s beautiful leaves of red and green… Until it didn’t.

One day, while tidying up the space, I noticed this sad, sickly plant with the foil wrap at it’s base and remembered that I had not once since the holidays given it water!

The red leaves had long since dropped, as had most of the green ones. All that was left were a few shrivelled brown stems. I considered tossing it into the compost, but then noticed the tiniest light-green curled-up leaves beginning to unfurl.

I quickly gave it a good drink and put it into the sunshine of the kitchen. Day after day, the landing Strong team nurtured it. Slowly but surely, fresh vegetation began to appear.

It’s been almost a year now, and we are happy to report that our poinsettia is alive, healthy, and well. Just this week I’ve noticed that the vibrant red is returning! Resiliency is all around us.

Warm thoughts,

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