Trapped by Cujo or...?

In the 1983 Stephen King film, Cujo, there’s a scene where a mother (Dee Wallace) and her little boy (Danny Pintauro), are trapped in a broken down car. It’s really hot, and no one’s around to help. The reason they’re stuck in the car is because outside, waiting to attack, is a rabid St. Bernard. They spend several days in the car, with no water, no food, and in temperatures over 100°.

I saw this movie years ago and really liked it. For some reason I thought of it recently, but I started to think about it from a different perspective.

Imagine most people. They are trapped, not in a car, but in their bodies & minds. They are stuck. They can’t get out, not because there’s a rabid St. Bernard ready to pounce, but because there are thoughts: fear, insecurities, doubts, low self-confidence, etc. ready to bring them down if they dare step out of that “safe” place I like to call the “Comfort Zone.”

No, there’s no rabid dog waiting to rip you to pieces, but there may as well be. Those demeaning thoughts can cause untold damage to the psyche. They can destroy any chance of action, of being creative, or even stepping out, and taking a risk.

In the movie, Dee Wallace, sees that her son is dying. She can no longer stay in the car. She has to take a risk. And she does. She gets out, but does not get through it unscathed. Cujo manages to do a little damage.

As in life, risks have to be taken. In most cases, you may have to take a little beating. You might not come out unscathed, but risking is the only way that you will be able to get out of your “safe” place. It is the only way you can make your life the way you want it. Or, there may be a chance that if you stay, you may die a little every day; along with your dreams, your goals, your stifled creativity, etc.

Open that door. Step out. Take a chance. Unlike getting bitten by a rabid dog, you might just get a little psychological thrashing. You can handle, can’t you?