Article January 17, 1976 Issue

The Achilles' Heel Myth

W. RALPH ROCKHOLD

Back in our school days many of us were at least exposed to ancient Greek mythology. We read how Achilles' mother, Thetis, dipped him in the magical waters of the River Styx, thus making him invulnerable to enemies' arrows and spears. But she had to hold him by the heel—and this went unprotected. So "Achilles' heel" has become proverbial for a person's vulnerable point because it was there that Achilles received his fatal wound.

Even in a myth we can often glimpse inspiration. Through Christian Science we can find out how to eradicate the belief that we are subject to what could be termed an Achilles' heel.

Too frequently people fall into the error of believing that because of some weak spot in their understanding or character they are plagued with a particular ailment that persists despite specific remedial efforts. The tendency is to feel that a certain problem is branded with one's own name and that if it would only go away, all would be well.

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