Barbara "Night of the Living Dead"
"They're coming to get you, Barbara!" Everyone
experiences those moments in life when they feel they are living a horror movie, nothing is going right. How we handle those times are critical for growth.
experiences those moments in life when they feel they are living a horror movie, nothing is going right. How we handle those times are critical for growth.
Some folks are complacent. They don't see a lot of power in their own lives. Perhaps their boss is the "parent" they answer to, or the spouse, society's or peer's expectations. To feel safe, they repeat the same day over and over again.
Let's look at horror movies as an example of victim versus victor.
Poor Barbara (above), is cowering, overwhelmed, unsure what to do, can't make a decision. She has made herself an available meal. Her mind races with "what if's" and horrible outcomes rather than looking for an escape. She hands over her power to the other occupant of the house, Ben, a man who sees a challenge and rises to it.
A series of disasters happen and you have different ways to react and each leads to different emotions and actions.
Some people might get angry and blame others, get stuck in the blame game, fighting it like a drowning person in the middle of the ocean. They might rant and stomp their feet, but that is fighting reality. They are exhausting themselves when they need to tread water. They will drown.
Some people might cower against the tsunami, feeling it is too big a task, too much for them and they are not strong, not ready, can't make decisions on a dime. They will drown.
Some people might ignore the imminent wave and wish it away, deluding themselves into continuing on and preteding it isn't happening. They will drown.
Some people might pray and ask for a miracle. They will clutch and bow down, but they will drown. After all, the Creator didn't give them arms, legs, and a brain to not use them.
Some people might beat themselves up, saying they are a sad sap, bad things always happen to them, they are incompetent. They might as well dive into the ocean and not fight the currents because they just forfeited any chances and created a self-fulfilling prophecy.
What about those who roll up their sleeves, accept what is happening without blame, and know that they will fight to the last moment?
Some horror film heroes to emulate -
Sheriff Martin Brody "Jaws"
Ellen Ripley "Aliens"
Clarice Stearling "Silence of the Lambs"
Laurie Strode "Halloween"
Sidney Prescott "Scream"
Wendy Torrence "The Shining"
Ash Williams "The Evil Dead"
When faced with a tsunami of challenges, consider an idol, a hero, or even speak to God and know you're not alone. Everyone goes through life having these moments. It is time to gather gumption because - on the other side of fear is what you want!
