[DISCLAIMER] When serving as a Marine Security Guard in Lima, Peru (2000-2001), I posed for the above photo when standing adjacent to the Fountain of the Plaza Mayor. Originally inaugurated in 1578, with retouching since, it features a statue of Pheme, one of the gods of Ancient Greece. During the time I was assigned to a diplomatic post in Lima, I remained a member of the Churches of Christ. As well, I still subscribed to tenets up with which I was raised in regard to the

[DISCLAIMER] When listening to an electronic dance music (EDM) DJ set by Kosmovsky, I heard her spin the track “Bayes Theorem”, from the EP Collateral Pleasure (2026), by DHÆÜR. I then thought about a psychoeducational lesson on Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). In particular, when practicing the ABC model, I often use a scientific approach to care for mental, emotional, and behavioral health (collectively “mental health”). This practice requires flexibility rathe

[DISCLAIMER] When listening to an electronic dance music (EDM) DJ set by Hilde, I heard her spin the track “Point of View (Deflee, Panic Chase Radio Remix)” (2026) by Steve Lawler. I then considered my view of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). For context, one source states: In philosophy, a point of view is a specific attitude or manner through which a person thinks about something. This figurative usage of the expression dates back to 1730. In this meaning, the

[DISCLAIMER] With my approach to mental, emotional, and behavioral health (collectively “mental health”), I use unconditional acceptance (UA). When teaching psychoeducational lessons on this helpful tool, I invite people to accept – without unfavorable conditions – that they are imperfect. For example, as a fallible human being, I don’t tell myself something along the lines of, “Unless I can be entirely without fault or defect, then I won’t endure without protest or react

[DISCLAIMER] I’ve just heard about the reported death of singer Oliver Tree. His song “Life Goes On”, from the album Ugly Is Beautiful (2020), has served as content for many electronic dance music (EDM) remixes. Over the years, I’ve enjoyed both the original track and its modifications. According to one source, “Tree stated in an interview that ‘Life Goes On’ is about ‘a problematic relationship where one person treats the other person badly […] shouldn’t waste time on to

[DISCLAIMER] As Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) is informed by Stoic philosophy, this blog entry is part of an ongoing series regarding a book entitled The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman. The authors quote ancient Stoic philosopher Marcus Aurelius who stated, “So someone’s good at taking down an opponent, but that doesn’t make them more community-minded, or modest, or well-prepared

[DISCLAIMER] When providing psychoeducational lessons on Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), I teach people about the ABC model of self-disturbance (how people upset themselves through use of irrational beliefs). Now, I’ll address a finer point of this psychotherapeutic model of wellness. For context, REBT uses the ABC model to illustrate how when an undesirable Action occurs and you Believe an unhelpful narrative about the event, it’s your unfavorable assumption, n

[DISCLAIMER] As Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) is informed by Stoic philosophy, this blog entry is part of an ongoing series regarding a book entitled The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman. Ancient and modern Stoics tend not to shy away from the topic of death. Colloquially speaking, someone is said to be “gone” once they die. After a relatively lengthy period of time has passed, one

[DISCLAIMER] Jeffrey (2016) is the fourth commercial mixtape by rapper Young Thug, featuring the track “Wyclef Jean”, which was produced by TM88 and Supah Mario. It’s reportedly in homage to singer and lyricist Wyclef Jean, yet the song bears no meaningful connection to Jean’s legacy. On the track, Young Thug addresses a one-night stand by stating, “I told her keep going on the gas, fuck the brakes. Only here for one night, let me put it on your face.” If you don’t compre

[DISCLAIMER] In Separating the Art From the Artist: Shamone, Hee Hee, I discussed my fondness for the entertainment content of singer, songwriter, dancer, and philanthropist Michael Jackson, dubbed the “King of Pop”, irrespective of controversial matters surrounding his personal life, as I said: Thriller [1982] is as close to a flawless album as any I’ve ever heard! I say this as one who maintains that fallible human beings are incapable of achieving perfection. In view o

[DISCLAIMER] When providing psychoeducational lessons on Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), I teach people about the ABC model of self-disturbance (how people upset themselves through use of irrational beliefs). Now, I’ll address a finer point of this psychotherapeutic model of wellness. For context, REBT uses the ABC model to illustrate how when an undesirable Action occurs and you Believe an unhelpful narrative about the event, it’s your unfavorable assumption, n

[DISCLAIMER] Hate the Sin, Not the Sinner When enlisted in the United States Marine Corps (1996-2007), my religious foundation in the Jehovah’s Witnesses and Churches of Christ informed my worldview. Of course, as a fallible human being, my faith-based perspective wasn’t practiced perfectly. For example, I was taught Leviticus 20:13 which states, “‘If a man has sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They are to b

[DISCLAIMER] As Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) is informed by Stoic philosophy, this blog entry is part of an ongoing series regarding a book entitled The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman. Herein, I’ll discuss my evolved perspective on life when viewed through the proverbial corrective lenses of REBT and Stoicism. In this way, I’m addressing how a subjective view has altered my unde

[DISCLAIMER] On The Imperial (1998), the only studio album by hip hop group Flipmode Squad, was the track “We Got U Opin, Pt. 2” that was produced by Da Beatminerz. It featured lyricist Buckshot, of Black Moon and Boot Camp Clik fame, as the song also sampled an earlier piece by Buckshot. In order of appearance on “We Got U Opin, Pt. 2”, Flipmode Squad members, all lyricists, were thusly featured: Rah Digga, Spliff Star, Baby Sham, Rampage, Lord Have Mercy, and Busta Rhym

[DISCLAIMER] As Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) is informed by Stoic philosophy, this blog entry is part of an ongoing series regarding a book entitled The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman. The authors quote ancient philosopher Marcus Aurelius who stated, “There’s nothing worse than a wolf befriending sheep. Avoid false friendship at all costs. If you are good, straightforward, and w

[DISCLAIMER] On his sixteenth mixtape, By Any Means 2 (2017), rapper Kevin Gates released the song “No Trust” which was produced by Smash David and Diego Ave. Addressing his distrust of hoes (singular “ho,” slang for the pejorative term whore), Gates expresses on the chorus: I can’t even trust my heat, ‘cause sometimes that bitch jam And everybody that I meet swear that they gon’ hold it down And every bitch I thought I loved took my heart and went crash And every time I

[DISCLAIMER] I view many events through the proverbial lens of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). Herein, I’ll provide a psychoeducational lesson that involves thinking and believing which is rational (in accordance with both logic and reason), or not (i.e., irrational), as it regards REBT. Here, “logic” is the interrelation or sequence of facts or events when seen as inevitable or predictable, and “reason” is a statement offered in explanation or justification. Fo

[DISCLAIMER] As Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) is informed by Stoic philosophy, this blog entry is part of an ongoing series regarding a book entitled The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman. The authors quote ancient Stoic philosopher Seneca who stated, “A benefit should be kept like a buried treasure, only to be dug up in necessity. . . . Nature bids us to do well by all. . . . Where

[DISCLAIMER] I view many events through the proverbial lens of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). Herein, I’ll provide a psychoeducational lesson that involves thinking and believing which is rational (in accordance with both logic and reason), or not (i.e., irrational), as it regards REBT. Here, “logic” is the interrelation or sequence of facts or events when seen as inevitable or predictable, and “reason” is a statement offered in explanation or justification. Fo