I am sometimes a little hesitant about putting this kind of blog on the site for fear that it may lead some to think that it is a religious observation. It is not. In any case, if we do quote something that appears religious then if one does not want to accept it you can just discard it if you do not believe it. We all have different ways to cope with our problems and to some, the religious road is their way and who are we to say it is wrong. They derive great comfort from it and who are we to deprive them comfort, God knows, we all need it. I agree, overt religious comment is not for this site and I do not advocate it any more than political comment, but sometimes a quote can be helpful and I, for one, will not hesitate to use any that seems helpful.. We can only speak from our own experience and we do not want to have to walk on eggshells. For the record, I am not 'religious' but I have always felt that there is something there, in the background, that stops me going over the cliff. Call it what you will, but it is a feeling and that is what this site is all about, isn't it; feelings? I do not expect anyone else to have that feeling; that is entirely for them. I am not being controversial but we should let others believe what they do from their experience.
"St. Christophre has crossed the river. All night long he has marched against the stream. Like a rock his huge limbed body stands above the water. On his shoulders is a Child, frail and heavy. St. Christophre leans on a pine tree that he has plucked up, and it bends. His back also bends. Those who saw him set out vowed that he would never win through and for a long time their mockery and their laughter followed him. Then the night fell and they grew weary. Now Christophe is too far away from those standing on the waters brink to reach him.
Through the roar of the torrent he hears only the tranquil voice of the Child, clasping a lock of hair on the giants forehead in his little hand and crying: "March on"--and with bowed back, and eyes fixed straight in front of him on the dark bank whose towering slopes are beginning to gleam white, he marches on. Suddenly he hears bells, and he springs into wakefulness. It is a new dawn. Behind the sheer black cliffs rides the golden glory of the invisible Sun. Almost falling, Christophe at last reaches the bank, and says to the Child "How heavy you are Child, who are you?". And the Child answers, "I am the day, soon to be born". (Anon).
I wonder how many of us carry the burden of the coming day around on our backs? You notice he was ridiculed and mocked! To say that this little story is over the heads of a lot of people is to assume that no one is as intelligent as we are. We all get out of something only as much as we put in. Love to all. jonathan.
As a family we all carry, hold, own, a St Christopher so it is a deep rooted belief that he will look over us whilst 'travelling' My problem arose when on very rare occasions I would by accident leave mine somewhere (home usually) this would send waves of panic over me as I became spooked by the lack of it's presence and therefore it's protection. Hence it became a burden as even when I wore it I would suddenly get the feeling it wasn't there and panic, anything 'bad' would happen because I wasn't wearing it. In the end I decided to put it away and not wear it, which wasn't an easy thing to do but it was in control, the loss of control is a very big thing. Then after a while I feared wearing it in case the reverse effect happened i.e, wearing it would tempt fate the other way around. Just recently however I plucked up the courage to put it back on, to those who are not walker/travelers the significance of this may be lost but I'm sure the anxiety bit you can relate to.
Not in the least lost on me. hollow. Funny, but I did not associate this story with the Saint of travellers. Now why did I miss that? I can relate to this as when I was ill I had a 'charm' type thing on my car keys. When I lost it one day I can remember the panic still. Airmen, in the last war, carried all sorts of strange objects around when they flew. If they left them behind they were sure they would not come back. Perhaps we need something to hang on to for safety. Many thanks for the message. Love. jonathan.
"According to tradition, St. Christopher died a martyr in Lycia in 251 A.D. during the reign of Decius, a Roman Emperor who conducted the first systematic persecution of Christians. Very little is known about Christopher's life, but many legends have developed around his name.
One of the most popular legends describes the saint as a tall man of tremendous strength who made a living carrying people across a raging river. One day his passenger was a child who grew so heavy as they crossed the river that he feared they would both drown. Christopher was amazed that one so mighty as himself could be overcome by one so small. The child then revealed that he was Christ, and the heaviness was caused by the weight of the world which he bore. The name "Christopher" means "Christ-bearer", and it is no surprise that he is often depicted as carrying a child, who, in turn, is carrying a globe.
It was a common medieval custom to place a large mural of the saint opposite the south door of the church, in belief that the sight of it would safeguard the passer-by from accident that day. In modern times, St. Christopher is considered to be the patron saint of travelers, especially of motorists.
St. Christopher is listed among the "Auxiliary Saints", or the Fourteen Holy Helpers, venerated for the efficacy of their prayers in time of need. His feast day, July 25, was dropped from the Roman Calendar of 1969, but may be observed locally, or in churches which bear his name."
This story is told in many countries.......there is a large statue of 'Christaps' on the banks of the Daugava river in Latvia and the story is told as a local legend about the man who carried the Christ child across the river. I was really interested to see it when we were there.
Catholics often keep a statue of St Christopher in their car to keep them safe while driving and of course St Christopher medals have been popular for a long time but perhaps less so now.
PL
Thanks Penny. You know, and you may not believe this, but I had no idea whatsoever that he was so legendary. It was just a story to me that seemed to fit the bill as to how we carry our troubles around on our shoulders. especially the anticipation. (Of the new day?). Thank you so much. I think this bears out what I feel; that we can learn a lot from the symbolism of these stories. We don't have to take them literally and I do not think they were meant to be taken so.
For two years I had therapy from a Jungian psychologist, and as you may know, symbolism figured large in Jung's theories. Our imaginations run riot in this illness and we can use this kind of thinking to help ourselves think differently. As I said in my blog, if it does not suit one then, like all therapies, it can be left alone. A lot of people regard CBT as being helpful. I never found it so, but that does not mean it will be of no use to someone else. Reading your blog again I find it fascinating. Legends are symbolic, are they not? And can be based on truth. Boy! you can certainly learn on this site. Now I can rightly be blamed for being 'religious', but I can assure everyone it was quite an innocent mistake!!! Thanks again. Love. jonathan.
I believe that your efforts are much appreciated by the users on this site. Excellent work.
It is a shame that we do live in a modern world that somehow wants people with faith to apologise.
My survival has been built on my faith, with Jesus Christ as my anchor. Without my faith, I would not be here and be able to offer my personal experience led observations, to help others see more clearly, that their circumstances are entirely changeable, and that they will be in control of their behaviour entirely with the application of patience, whilst they learn.
Hi. sthe. That is exactly the point I was trying to make. Your belief in Christ gives you comfort to such an extent that you can come on here and help others. They do not have to have any 'faith' to believe or discard what you say. We can only speak from personal experience and that is what the guidelines for posting on this site point out.
I 'believe' in the teachings of Carl Jung and Dr. Claire Weekes but that does not stop me believing that other avenues are open for wisdom to appear. Beauty is indeed in the eye of the beholder, and one mans faith need not be antagonistic to another's. Words of wisdom from whatever source are still words of wisdom.
It is strange, but why do some fear teaching from a religion. It is almost as if they are afraid of some sort of 'contagion'; as if they are going to be persuaded in spite of themselves. Ah well! Takes all sorts I suppose. Thanks for your post. Best wishes. jonathan.
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