With Breda Gardner Homeopath, lcph, mcos, rgn

Health Therapies Clinic

13 Gladstone Street, Waterford.

Tel: 087 2025753.

Insight Natural Health Clinic

15 Upper Patrick St, Kilkenny

Tel: 056 7724429

Out of the mouths of babes

Last week, I was attending a national conference for councillors. I heard a wonderful story from one the attendees, and thought I would share it with you.

The said elected member was in his council chamber, and as he recounted the tale, things were getting more and more heated. The exchanges became personal and the insults began to fly. He said he was never so happy as when the meeting ended, and he was able to retreat to the sanctity of his own home.

He closed the front door and slumped, exhausted, into his favourite armchair. His six year old daughter came into to greet him, and immediately sensed that something was wrong.

"Hello, Daddy. Are you OK?”

"Yes, I’m fine.”

"You don’t look OK.”

"I’m just tired.”

"You look upset, Daddy. Why are you upset?”

His little girl is a wise young soul, so he decided to tell her the truth.

"You’re right. Some people said some nasty things about me in the meeting, and they upset me.”

"Daddy,” this young six year old girl asked, "Why did you let them upset you?”

Wow! Out of the mouths of babes comes truth and wisdom indeed.

I really love this story. It demonstrates once again that whilst we can’t change other people, we can change ourselves. We can’t change their behaviour, but we can change the way we react. The next time I am in a situation where the barbs and arrows are being thrown around, I will consciously say to myself "I am not going to let your negativity upset me.” In fact I may well say that phrase out loud to the person saying the unpleasant words, as sometimes, in the heat of the moment, they do not realise what they are saying.

As a public representative, I have previously been on the receiving end of many vituperative comments, and even threatened with expulsion from the council for three months – all for simply speaking my truth. I’ve had to apologise and withdraw statements on a number of occasions in order to keep the peace and remain in the council – even though I still fundamentally believed in what I was saying. At times like these, it is extra important to remain positive, and to help me stay sane I use the following affirmation:

"I am immune to all hurts and frustrations. The power within is perfect peace and poise.”

I feel sure that wise little six year old girl would agree with that sentiment!