Catching more than fish

Catching more than fish

by | Sep 5, 2025 | Communication, Community, Creativity, Gratitude, Growth, Outdoor Adventures, Relaxation, Wellbeing

Catching more than fish 

On our Community Connection excursion a couple weeks ago, Mackenzie and I decided to share a fly rod. She took the first cast. Almost instantly, she felt the tug of a fish nibbling at the line. Eyes wide, she quickly thrust the rod back to me. “You take it,” she exclaimed. “I don’t want to catch anything!” We both burst into laughter.

I stepped up, still chuckling, and tried my hand at casting. To my surprise I caught a fish almost immediately. What I neglected to mention is, that while I love fish, I hadn’t actually wanted to catch one either. It had been over forty years since I last held a fish or removed one from a hook.

There I stood, a reluctant angler facing a slippery reality. But with some fumbling and help from a certain brave veteran, the catch and release was successful. The fish swam away unharmed.

Reflecting back, I realize that the excursion wasn’t really about fishing. It was about the connections we build in shared experiences, stepping out of our comfort zones, laughing at our mistakes, and supporting each other in moments of uncertainty.

Sometimes, what we “catch” has little to do with the line and everything to do with the bonds formed along the way.

 

Warmly,

 

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

Clearing the air within

Clearing the air within

by | Aug 29, 2025 | Balance, Community, Courage, Friday Inspiration, Wellbeing, Wisdom

Clearing the air within

I woke up this morning feeling grumpy. At first, I couldn’t quite place why. My morning tea tasted the same.  The routine was unchanged, but my mood was off.

As the day unfolded, conversations with colleagues revealed I wasn’t alone. Many of us were carrying a low-grade irritability that didn’t seem to have an obvious source.

After some reflection, the answer became clearer. We’ve been living under the quiet but persistent weight of worry; going to bed each night thinking of friends and family living closer to the fires, being startled awake by alarms on our phones, or noticing on certain days how the air is hazy with smoke.

Even if the flames aren’t at our doorstep, the unease is still there.  It’s the kind of stress that creeps in quietly, showing up in our moods, our energy, and our ability to focus. Left unrecognized, it can leave us feeling frayed around the edges.

I’m reminding myself to pause and ground. To seek out small moments of calm, whether it’s the simple act of taking a few slow breaths, stepping outside to notice the beauty that remains untouched, or connecting with someone who helps me feel steady.

While it might be hard to control the fires, we do have the ability to tend to our internal landscape. Choosing calm in small ways each day may not stop the smoke from drifting in, but it helps clear the air within.

We’re currently filling two great group programs, and fall is the perfect time to join us.  We have Identity & Transition coming up on Fridays September 19, 26, October 3, 10, 17.  We also are loading up our popular Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction program September 9th, 16th, 23rd, October 2nd (Thursday), 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th. (945am to noon)
Optional 3-hour retreat Nov 4th. (9 to noon)

Contact Julie to learn more and to get on the list! 902-472-2972 or info@landingstrong.com 

Warmly,

 

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

When freedom meets responsibility

When freedom meets responsibility

by | Aug 22, 2025 | Anxiety, Belinda's Thoughts, Communication, Compassion, Courage, Wellbeing, Wisdom

When Freedom Meets Responsibility

I’ve always found my deepest sense of calm in the woods; it’s my sanctuary. So when the recent restrictions came into effect, limiting access to forested trails, I felt a surge of frustration. It seemed unnecessary, even intrusive, as though a small but important freedom was being taken from me.

A few days ago, while walking the Blockhouse Loop I spotted a man standing over dry grass, cigarette in hand. Ashes dropped onto the tinder-dry vegetation at his feet. I felt a spike of alarm. I approached him gently, asking him to move to the paved area, pointing out the risk of fire and our shared responsibility to take extra care. He laughed, smiled, and thankfully, complied.

It was after this moment that my perspective shifted. Common sense I realized, isn’t always common. Sometimes restrictions exist because not everyone takes precautions on their own. Rather than being resentful I now hold deep respect for those tasked with maintaining safety for all.

My gratitude extends too, to the first responders working tirelessly to contain the wildfires sweeping our provinces. The few hours of smoke we inhaled last Saturday were but the faintest hint of what they endure daily.

Freedom I’ve learned isn’t only about what I want. It’s about choosing care for the greater good.

We’re currently filling two great group programs, and fall is the perfect time to join us.  We have Identity & Transition coming up on Fridays September 19, 26, October 3, 10, 17.  We also are loading up our popular Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction program September 9th, 16th, 23rd, October 2nd (Thursday), 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th. (945am to noon)
Optional 3-hour retreat Nov 4th. (9 to noon)

Contact Julie to learn more and to get on the list! 902-472-2972 or info@landingstrong.com 

 

Warmly,

 

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

Connection is key-the power of community

Connection is key-the power of community

by | Nov 29, 2024 | Belinda's Thoughts, Communication, Community, Relaxation, Resources, Wellbeing

Connection is key – the power of community

When we think of PTSD, we might envision a person hunched over, sitting alone in a dark room. Operational stress injuries can indeed be isolating when we bear the burden alone.

Only through connection with an understanding community, can we melt away the shame that keeps us immobilized.

If you have been following our social media, you’ll have seen many photos of people in active recovery. They’re full of smiles and are clearly in good company. That’s not by chance. They know something important.
They know that working in groups speeds up recovery and allows us to go further. Significant forward momentum requires knowledge, support, and community.

By working together, we will all go further. Look for the smiles…you’ll know where to find us. Trauma recovery might not look the way you imagined.

We’re loading up programs for the new year, connect soon to save your seat.

 

Warmly,

 

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

Letting in the light

Letting in the light

by | Nov 22, 2024 | Balance, Belinda's Thoughts, Change, Creativity, Outdoor Adventures, Wellbeing

Letting in the light

Darkness arrives sooner these days, tricking us into thinking that the day is over when in fact, we still have a few good hours ahead. The animals take their cue from the environment, retreating to their burrows and nests with food stores collected in preparation for a long winter’s nap. This is a time when our natural inclination might also be to go into hibernation, packing it in early, grabbing snacks and settling in front of the TV long before we normally would.

The way I figure it, we can do one of two things:

1) Give in to the hibernation urge, only to emerge from our homes in the springtime as fluffed-out, chipmunk versions of ourselves.
2) Create an opportunity to invite new practices and routines into our lives.

We’d like to offer a few ideas that we hope might inspire you:

  • Consider taking a night hike. Opening the door and tromping out into the darkness might at first feel daunting, but with the right mindset and equipment, it can be thoroughly enjoyable. Joe and I purchased neon-colored collars for our dogs and headlamps and flashlights for ourselves. The lazy feelings we might feel early in the evening quickly evaporate when replaced by the invigoration of crisp night air and star-studded skies.
  • Winter is the perfect time to start new art projects. Consider exploring and further expanding on some of the ideas we’ve gained from our time together at Maker’s. A recent Community Connections workshop with Jen has prompted me to pull out my watercolors with the hopes of making a slew of handmade Christmas cards.
  • It’s a great time to try new recipes and pull out those crockpots to make hearty, bone-warming soups and stews. A fresh loaf of baked bread does wonders for the soul.
  • Cozying around the woodstove or fireplace with a good book, needlework or game of cards reminds us of the joys of yesteryear.
  • We can brighten up the darkness inside our homes through candles, fairy lights, or reflective sparkle lanterns.
  • Signing up for a local pickleball league or purchasing a gym membership keeps the juices flowing.
  • Most importantly, staying connected to your community and joining others for small social gatherings in the form of meals or shared cups of coffee gets us out of the house and helps to deepen friendships.

We’d love to hear which strategies you use to ensure your life is full of the light and laughter it deserves.

 

Warmly,

 

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

No fish…that’s ok, we got cranberries

No fish…that’s ok, we got cranberries

by | Sep 25, 2024 | Belinda's Thoughts, Challenge, Community, Friday Inspiration, joy, Wellbeing

No fish…that’s ok, we’ve got cranberries

 

This past Monday was a magical morning as Shawn Pineo from New Scotland Fly Rods led us on a fly-fishing adventure for our Community Connection day.

On the shores of Panuke Lake with the sun beaming down on our shoulders, we tied, cast, reeled, and laughed together.

Not everyone was physically able to participate but that didn’t stop them from sharing fish stories and banter by the water’s edge.

I’d like to report that many fish were caught, but truth be told, the biggest catch of the day was cranberries. We left literally with buckets of them.

PS: Did you know that fly-fishing hip waiters allow one to lie in a field of red cranberries without fear of red stains? This is optimal for a speedy collection.

I left with my heart full and a big smile on my face. The lightness and levity of the morning went a long way to setting the tone for a wonderful week.

Sometimes the best things in life are unexpected. I’m eternally grateful to Shawn for creating such a warm welcoming environment and generously sharing his equipment with us. But I’m ridiculously pleased with the bounty of cranberries which will form the basis of my Thanksgiving cranberry sauce.

I went into the day knowing that fishing wasn’t likely my thing, but I left pleased to have taken part.

Please join us for the next Community Connection group as we take a fall walk on the Manning Nature trails, followed by a coffee outing to Gerrish and Grey. We’ll be collecting natural wilderness treasures for our upcoming wreath-making workshop which will take place two weeks later.

 

Warm thoughts,

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