Most of us are familiar with the story of Achilles Heel. If not, the FL-Notes version goes like this…
According to Greek mythology, there lived an extraordinarily strong and courageous warrior named Achilles. At birth, he was dipped in the River Styx by his mother – a river said to possess the immortal powers of the Gods. By submerging her son into this river, she hoped for his immorality. But in doing so, she also feared of losing him to the strength of these waters and gripped his heel ever so tightly deeminghim invulnerable everywhere but his heel.
The story of Achilles heel serves as a metaphor for the weakness in all of us.
But while we would eventually witness Achilles’ downfall in his weakness - WE are much more resilient than that. With a growth mindset and positive actionable steps towards our goals, our weakness can become our strength (the reverse is true too).
Each one of us innately possesses both strengths and weaknesses. How we balance and cultivate these opposing attributes in our lives is dependent on our experiences and how we think, act and engage with the world around us.
Take the dichotomy of these two attributes – acceptance and determination.
The new culture that is emerging is one that promotes acceptance, equality and self-love. Conceptually, this is beautiful, inclusive and long overdue. Especially, since many of us have grown up in a one-dimensional, rigid society where beliefs and perspectives about what is acceptable or not are dictated by the media.
But we also must be careful that our “acceptance” doesn’t leave us complacent, low-motivated and unhealthy.
For example, the other day I was discussing how most of the time I eat fairly clean (whole, unprocessed foods cooked at home with intent) but on the weekends I let myself indulge in what I call “bad” foods. I define “bad” foods as foods that only take from your body and provide little to no health benefits – think of highly processed, highly refined, overly sugary and fried foods that come in bag. A passer-by heard me say the word, “bad foods” and told me to rephrase the term because there is no such thing and I should not put that type of judgment on myself.
The way I look at it – a food that only provides a lucrative amount of empty calories, f”cks around with my hormones, creates insulin highs and lows and makes me want to nap for 30 hours is a BAD food.
Now, does this mean that if I crave or indulge in these foods that I’m a bad person? Absolutely, not.
It means I’m human.
I can “accept” and recognize the fact that maybe the 3 donuts I ate for breakfast were bad but I won’t let that moment of weakness define me. I will use that acceptance of my weakness as my strength and will make a healthier, more beneficial choice for lunch. There is no need for judgment because perfection is an illusion which is why we are always on the pursuit of balance.
The funny thing about choice and habits though is that the more intention you put in your food and other areas of life – the less your body craves the (dare I say it) junk.
Try making one small change to your life - nothing big. If you want to cut down on partying every night so you can pick up a new skill - swap out one night of partying for one day in a class that teaches that skill etc.
It’s like that old saying of taking one step towards your dream and your dream takes two steps towards you. You just have to accept and be determined.
For more actionable steps or (S.M.A.R.T goals), contact your designated FL coach to help you work on strategies.