Linda Bertaut, Founder
My Why
At 13 years old, I learned the devastating effects of depression and suicide when my mother, who had suffered from severe depression, committed suicide. At the time, talk about depression and suicide were taboo. After my mother’s suicide, the fog of depression filled me. I hid behind a happy face but inside I was filled with guilt from not being able to save her. I secretly thought that my mother’s example might also be my fate. It was not until I turned 30 that I chose to live and move beyond depression. I healed myself by using Reiki, hands-on healing, and energy medicines.
Globally, more than 300 million people of all ages suffer from depression, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Depression is a common disorder characterized by sadness, loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of guilt, low self-worth, disturbed sleep or appetite, feelings of tiredness, and poor concentration. It can be long-lasting or periodic, impairing an individual’s ability to function at work, school, or cope with daily life.
I have found that the cause of depression has to do with not being true to yourself. Years of pleasing others at your own expense, not following your intuition or feelings, and reacting to daily stressors causes you to leave bits and pieces of your energy behind. As you become depleted, you lose your sense of self and purpose in life. You lose your vision for the future. Like my mother, you think you don’t matter.
I also learned that depression can be more a condition of the spirit than a disease of the mind. When you heal your spirit, you heal a multitude of other issues like stress, anxiety, constant negative self-talk and even depression. It worked for me…you can choose to live and start healing while suffering from debilitating depression. You will learn simple tools to start this process at Your Life Matters to Me.
Your Life Matters to Me, offers alternative causes for depression and methods to clear the fog and live a life with meaning and purpose.
Take a look at Julie as she takes the steps to heal herself in an 8-week Heal the Healer program for the 2018 Skin Games. You can follow Julie’s journey in a series of 9 short videos. The first video introduces my entry into the Compassionate category for the Skin Games.
When I’m out and about, if I see someone in distress, I go up to them and ask if they’re okay. I share a conversation, offer a hug, serve as a confidant. I might be the first person to hear their story. I believe in spreading goodwill, love, and a sense of compassion to let people know they’re important. I tell people, “Your life matters to me, who you are matters. Please hang in there, you’re going to get through this.”
Life provides moments of connection that lift the fog enough for transformation to occur. Everyone is here for a reason. Once a person discovers themselves, they discover their reason for being alive. Let someone know their life matters to you! Your words do make an impact.