[ 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 Roman Stoic philosopher Seneca  who stated, “The greatest portion of peace of mind is doing nothing wrong . Those who lack self-control live disoriented and di

[ 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 A ction occurs and you B elieve an unhelpful narrative about the event, it’s your unfavorable a

[ 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 A ction occurs and you B elieve an unhelpful narrative about the event, it’s your unfavorable a

[ DISCLAIMER ]   There’s a line on lyricist Murs ’s song “ Woke Up Dead ”, produced by Jesse Shatkin and from the album Have a Nice Life (2015), that states “gettin’ older as my life gets shorter.” It’s the sort of message that at first may seem like a throwaway line.   Of course, we get older as our lives get shorter. Still, I wonder about how often (or not) people contemplate their own mortality. With each passing day, they grow older while their lives get shorter. All th

[ 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 A ction occurs and you B elieve an unhelpful narrative about the event, it’s your unfavorable a

[ DISCLAIMER ]   Within my blog, I make no secret about the fact that I was once a stepdad  to a little girl who I helped raise from when she was six-months- to a five-year-old. Although things didn’t work out between her mom and me, I remain grateful for the experience of having helped to raise a child.   Given this context, I appreciate the song “ Vertebrae ” by Canadian lyricist Dan-e-o from his fifth solo album, The Day It All Changed , an ode to his daughter, Melina, w

[ 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 A ction occurs and you B elieve an unhelpful narrative about the event, it’s your unfavorable a

[ DISCLAIMER ] Photo credit , photographer: Brian McElhiney , property of Stars and Stripes, fair use   When serving as military police (MP) while stationed aboard Camp Kinser , a major logistics base for Marine Corps Forces on Okinawa, Japan from 1997 to 1999, I responded to an emergency call at the Kinser towers  (on-base military family housing).   The crisis call related to an attempted suicide in-progress. Regarding this matter, the American Psychological Association (A

[ DISCLAIMER ]   Growing up in a standard slightly above abject poverty (the most severe form of poverty, defined as a lack of basic human needs like food, clean water, sanitation, and shelter), I recall watching the television series Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous  which was hosted by Robin Leach .   Although the program didn’t distract from my own circumstances (i.e., government-assisted living, roach and rat infestations, insecure housing, etc.), I’d often fantasize abo

[ 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 A ction occurs and you B elieve an unhelpful narrative about the event, it’s your unfavorable a

[ 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 A ction occurs and you B elieve an unhelpful narrative about the event, it’s your unfavorable a

[ DISCLAIMER ] Photo credit , fair use   The Epicurean   On their album Demi Glacé  (2019), hip hop group Vendetta Kingz  released the track “ The Epicurean ” upon which it is stated “life is best lived to the fullest,” “enjoy the finer things,” and “enjoy the fruits of my labor; epicure, beauty in the flavor.”   For context, an “epicure” is one with sensitive and discriminating tastes, especially in food or wine, and this term archaically related to one devoted to sensual pl

[ DISCLAIMER ]   In 1996, the classic rap group from Queens, New York, Lost Boyz  (“LB”), released Legal Drug Money which one of my favorite old school albums from the golden age of hip hop . It was one of those anthologies which weren’t heavily polluted by useless filler (lower quality songs).   On the album was the track “ Jeeps, Lex Coups, Bimaz & Benz ”, produced by Easy Mo Bee , which was released as a single in 1995, and on which Mr. Cheeks  stated:   Keep the shit liv

[ 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 A ction occurs and you B elieve an unhelpful narrative about the event, it’s your unfavorable a

[ DISCLAIMER ]   The above photo was taken during “boot leave” (10-day authorized time off from duty for military personnel) following completion of United States Marine Corps Recruit Training in 1996. Only a year prior to that time, I was closely associated with members of street gangs.   Therefore, the transitionary period captured in the photo represents my ambition  (a character trait that describes people who are driven to better their station or to succeed at lofty goal

[ 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 A ction occurs and you B elieve an unhelpful narrative about the event, it’s your unfavorable a

[ DISCLAIMER ]   Regarding my daily practice of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy  (REBT), I appreciate self-challenge related to use of the ABC model  and unconditional acceptance  (UA) that I wouldn’t typically encounter in my sessions with clients. This is done in the interest of rational living .   Today, I’ve chosen to find at least one psychoeducational lesson from the fourth commercial mixtape by rapper Trippie Redd , entitled A Love Letter to You 4  (2019). As such

[ DISCLAIMER ]   When earlier listening an electronic dance music (EDM) DJ set  by K_Oxana , I heard the track “ Overtones ” (2020) by Frost . The sampled vocals of the song reportedly originate from an interview concerning British rapper of Nigerian descent Sneakbo , as he states:   I’ve done a lot in my life It’s been ups and downs You know that I’ve done big shows, I’ve done small shows I’ve traveled so much And I’ve learned a lot along the way And I realized there’s more

[ DISCLAIMER ]   In my youth, I was often bored in school. Therefore, when the American Revolution was discussed, my only takeaway was that the Thirteen Colonies and Great Britain had irreconcilable differences, culminating in the American Revolutionary War . There was death involved, as well.   That bloody event was said to have resulted in the independence of the colonies as the United States (U.S.). Then, when learning about the American Civil War , I understood that the

[ DISCLAIMER ]   *Spoilers for A Big Bold Beautiful Journey  (2025) contained herein. Photo credit , property of Sony Pictures Releasing, fair use   A Big Bold Beautiful Journey   I recently watched A Big Bold Beautiful Journey  (2025), a romantic fantasy film, with slight expectation for a particular outcome. To my surprise, I enjoyed it quite a bit! (With little doubt, I’ll be watching it again in the future.) Describing the plot, one source states:   Some doors bring you