The Monsters Under Our Bed

We are watching a show called “Eric” on Netflix that has me utterly dumbfounded.  Mind you, this has little to do with the overall plot, the acting, or even the emotionally gripping depictions of an addict in an all-out free-fall spiral.  Yet there is something about this show that has me reeling on the inside.  After finishing episode five last night, I found myself with my heart racing.  It was then that I experienced a powerful realization that I hesitantly decided to share in this week’s Monday Musings. Stick with me on this one if you can, because I genuinely believe that this insight holds the potential to illuminate the shadows within each of us that seemingly try to impede all forward health progress.

Though I won’t delve into specifics about the show—this isn't a review—I do want to mention a few key elements. The protagonist, Vincent, is a father grappling with the recent disappearance of his son. As a professional puppeteer, much like the iconic Jim Henson, Vincent believes that by bringing to life a character from his son's drawing—a Monster named Eric—he can reach out to his boy and coax him home. As we learn, his son has run away, seeking an escape from the turmoil of their dysfunctional home life. If only his son could see his creation come to life on screen, it might just be the spark needed to draw him out of the shadows.

Throughout the series, we witness Vincent engaging with this monster, which symbolizes what Jungian psychology describes as our shadow. This shadow represents the weaker, flawed, and often unconscious parts of ourselves that can hold us back. It embodies the self-doubt that whispers discouraging thoughts like, “You can’t do this, it’s a foolish endeavor, you’re not strong enough, you don’t have the time, and this will never work because you don't stick with anything.” Yet, both Carl Jung and modern psychologists, including renowned therapist Phil Stutz, remind us that confronting our shadow is essential for personal growth. Overcoming our past, or more specifically, our mind, is both the lock and key to a joy-filled life of peace and progress. 

Why is this important? Because many of us, including myself, often find ourselves trapped in negative cycles, self-defeating habit loops, and burdened by limiting beliefs.

According to Phil Stutz, a psychoanalyst to numerous celebrities and world-class athletes, the pathway to breaking free from these mental chains is to bring the shadow into the light.

Allow me to elaborate.

Just like a real shadow can't be seen in darkness, we shouldn't ignore our negative emotions when they arise. Hiding the monster beneath our beds doesn’t make it disappear. However, confronting these shadows head-on and attempting to kill that negative inner voice through willful perfection can be equally damaging.

Instead, we should turn towards the light, keeping our shadows behind us. Our shadows shrink in the brilliance of a light shining down directly from above. It's the awareness of the feeling, but detachment from the negative thoughts that we must strive for. And while neglecting our flaws doesn’t help, trying to combat them directly doesn’t work either. I believe this is at least in part what Jesus meant when he said, “no one that puts hand to plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

We are meant to forge ahead, uprooting the weeds along the way and planting seeds of potential that we know will one day flourish. This doesn’t guarantee that every seed will thrive, but with the right environment, plenty of light, and a focus on nurturing growth rather than being bogged down by the weeds, we can cultivate a bountiful harvest.

Having not seen the finale of the show, I can't predict how Eric's journey will conclude. Yet, I suspect Vincent will find reconciliation with his son only after confronting the inner battles with his own demons—the monster within that initially drove them apart. This, of course, would then set the stage for a redemptive finale and a powerful lesson for each of us.

What is that lesson?

It's not merely about wins and losses, nor is it about conquering the inner battles. Rather, it's about the commitment to move forward with acceptance and an understanding that being human means we all face a past that both haunts and defines us. Above every cloud-laden sky, there shines a bright and hopeful light that will return. When it does, let us remember to walk with our shadows in tow, for they represent the experiences and struggles that shape us into the remarkable individuals we were created to be. After all, it’s not the monsters we keep hidden under our beds, but instead the monsters we let out of our heads. Turn on the lights, and they become a whole lot less scary.