There have been several moments in my life where I felt invincible.
However, this was always short-lived, and something would come along in life that would bring me to my knees. Whether this was through a physical illness, the hurtful words of another, or a critical mistake, these moments were always followed by a strong dose of humility.
In Greek mythology, Achilles’ mother dipped his body into a magical river which provided powers of protection and invulnerability. However, because she held Achilles by the heel, it prevented the mystical water from covering this particular area. As a result, this became the only part of his body that remained vulnerable.
Achilles was feared by many, and he eventually evolved into a hero of the Trojan war. It was believed that he was invincible, and that he would never be defeated. Interestingly enough, his death came from an innocent arrow that penetrated into his heel.
Each one of us has some form of an Achilles heel. This might come in the form of anxiety, a chronic disease, or even our own insecurity regarding the way we physically appear to others.
Your Achilles heel keeps you vulnerable, humble, and essentially human.
This understanding is exactly what prevents us from being arrogant, but still allows us to be confident.
We all have our own fears and insecurities, and the majority of people do their best to keep these hidden from others. Revealing these fears can cause us to be judged by others, leaving us to feel exposed. On the other hand, when we start to speak about our challenges, it seems to give others permission to do the same.
What is your Achilles heel?
I am learning how to embrace my shortcomings. Today, I am grateful for my Achilles heel, and for the gift of humility.