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
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
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
We are well into spring, and with it, a chance to plant seeds, prompting the earth to give birth to a wonderous assortment of flowers and vegetables. I feel a deep sense of satisfaction digging my hands into the rich soil, enjoying the warmth of the long-awaited sun on my back. I know that my intentions are taking root.
Things take time to grow. We can’t eat the fruit that we planted today. In some cases, it may take years. It starts with an intention, followed by a period of nurturing, and care. This is not unlike any desired change in our lives. With patience, commitment, and gentle care, growth is inevitable.
It’s easy to get frustrated if things don’t feel quite right at a given moment. I hope that we allow ourselves the same grace as we might to the seeds that we plant, being patient as we allow ourselves to grow.
Warm thoughts,
Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych. Executive Director, Landing Strong
This month has been a bit challenging for me. My father’s health is declining, and as a result, I’ve made a few extra trips to Toronto in recent weeks.
On the last flight to Toronto, I wasn’t feeling particularly chatty. I sat beside a polished young woman. She was well-coiffed, armed in high heels, a white designer bag and immaculate make-up.
She didn’t make much eye contact, so I took it as my cue that we wouldn’t chat. I developed an internal story about who she might be based on her appearance. As we got up to leave, she stood and with her perfectly manicured hands passed me my bag from the overhead compartment, even though she did not have one of her own.
This thoughtful gesture prompted me to revise my initial appraisal of her. We chatted as we stood in line for our bags, and I learned that she holds a doctoral degree in genetic engineering and is dedicating her life working to develop drugs to cure hereditary illnesses. She was passionate, thoughtful, and inspired. My superficial impression proved to be very wrong.
This brief interaction encouraged me to be more open to the idea of getting to know people before judging them.
On the flight home, I felt exhausted, after five days in the hospital at my father’s bedside. An elderly woman, was sitting beside me, scribbling furiously into a journal. Her notes were organized and meticulous. Remembering my earlier vow, I threw her a line, asking if she was a writer. It turns out she holds a master’s degree in divinity and has spent the latter part of her life on a spiritual quest.
The next three hours proved to be a fulsome conversation around topics of Buddhism, consciousness, spirituality, quantum physics and mysticism. She writes under the penname Augusta. The conversation was good enough that I ordered two of her books. I left the plane feeling grounded, calm and appreciative.
I am grateful to the universe for sending both women my way. I wonder how often people of potential importance in our lives are sent to us, but we miss the opportunity to benefit from them because we are closed off or not looking.
I am renewed in my commitment to being open and receptive to what the universe has to offer. I hope you will do the same.
Warm thoughts,
Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych. Executive Director, Landing Strong
Well, winter is finally upon us. I’ll admit it, I’ve been a bit smug up till now, enjoying balmy off-season Nova Scotia temperatures.
Well, those days are gone!
As we find ourselves plummeting into the low twenties, I’m still smiling, in fact, even hoping it stays cold. Why you ask? Well, I’ve found the glimmer…the silver lining to this cold front.
True fact: Several consecutive days of sub -12 temperatures can harm tick populations. Intense temperature fluctuations during winter such as we’re having now do the most damage. The tick population has been exploding in recent years, primarily because of our warm winters. When it stays warm, they populate. This bout of extreme weather will give them a run for their money.
Please join me in the cold celebration dance, even as the cold blasts of air freeze smiles across our faces.
Where we focus our attention, and how we think about things, truly does impact the manner in which we experience the world. By making equal air time for the good news, we naturally nudge out the bad.
Warm thoughts,
Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych. Executive Director, Landing Strong
