[ DISCLAIMER ] When practicing Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), I use personal responsibility and accountability (collectively “ ownership ”). For improved understanding , responsibility is defined as the quality or state of being responsible, such as a moral , legal , or mental accountability. Here, “responsible” is defined as liable to be called to account as the primary cause, motive , or agent, and being able to answer for one’s conduct and obligations —s

[ DISCLAIMER ] When I was in high school, R&B group TLC (singer Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins , singer Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas , and the late singer and rapper Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes ) released their second studio album CrazySexyCool (1994). It was my favorite anthology by the group! On the album was the song “ Sumthin’ Wicked This Way Comes ” that featured lyricist André 3000 (of Outkast fame). Noteworthy, the song’s namesake is derived from William Shakespeare ’s The Trage

[ 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 ] Because I don’t have many social media apps on my smartphone , regarding most sites such as Reddit, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and so forth, I often miss up-to-date news about celebrity deaths. This is as I prefer things to be in my life. Still, earlier today, when searching for material online for daily practice of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) I discovered that one source reports, “Influential musical artist Afrika Bambaataa died in Penn

[ DISCLAIMER ] When serving in the United States (U.S.) Marine Corps (1996-2007), I was taught that terrorism was the use of violence against noncombatants to achieve political or ideological aims. Generally, such terroristic action involves intention (a determination to act in a certain way). To draw a meaningful distinction, I invite you to consider two hypothetical scenarios. Scenario one: A U.S. Marine expeditionary force deliberately targets a village of civi

[ DISCLAIMER ] On the album Freakjet (2022), rapper Vel Nine (also known as Vel the Wonder ) released the song “ Winning Team ” that featured rapper YL . Wisely , Vel Nine stated, “I don’t know where tomorrow will take me, but I know where today is.” This is a matter of uncertainty. According to the American Psychological Association, uncertainty is defined as “the state or condition in which something (e.g., the probability of a particular outcome ) is not accuratel

[ 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, “No person has the power to have everything they want, but it is in their power not to want what they don’t have, and to

[ DISCLAIMER ] There was a time when I set out to write blog content regarding the Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) book Creative Marriage (1961). However, I admittedly haven’t contributed many posts to it in a while, and perhaps won’t do so again (current post excluded). That’s because I don’t endorse “sucka shit,” as one source thusly describes this term, “Anything that is not acceptable or violates the G code . This includes snitching, switching up on your t

[ DISCLAIMER ] I’ve paid close attention to the 2026 Iran war (also euphemistically referred to as an operation, hostilities, conflict, etc.) which was started by the United States (U.S.) and Israel—specifically, U.S. President Donald Trump and Prime Minister [PM] of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu . In particular, I’ve observed quite a bit of propaganda ( ideas , facts , or allegations spread deliberately to further one’s cause or to damage an opposing cause). Much of what

[ DISCLAIMER ] On the song “ Trappin Like a Fool ” by rapper Fat Trel , from his third mixtape No Secrets (2010), is a sample from rapper Gucci Mane ’s freestyle on the Hood Affairs Ent. Gucci Mane - Trap-A-Holic DVD (2008). I recall hearing the non-written lyrical content when it was first released! Gucci Mane stated, “I was trappin’ [selling drugs] like a fool, me and that fat fool. Kept that fuckin’ tool [firearm]. Didn’t go to school. I was trappin’ like a bitch. I

[ 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 moving from Amarillo, Texas to Aurora, Colorado in elementary school, I was surprised by my beliefs about how Coloradans didn’t appear to be as proud as Texans were about their state. Unfortunately, welcoming me to my new surroundings, a group of boys often beat my ass! “You talk funny,” one of the boys from Aurora once told me. Still, I held it down (represented) for my home state. Coloradans may’ve beaten me down, though I still had Texas pride. That

[ 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 ] On his fifth album Life Is... Too $hort (1989), rapper Too $hort released the track “ CussWords ” which was an oft-repeated song among my friends and I in childhood. In my youth, I like that the rapper began his song by asking, “So, you motherfuckers thought I was gonna change my style?” That set the tone for just under eight minutes of raw lyrics that, from the perspective of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), provided content about which people

[ DISCLAIMER ] Earlier, when listening to rapper Key Glock ’s sixth mixtape Son of a Gun (2020), I heard the song “ Cops N Robbers ” in which he states, “Throwin’ bullets, not knuckles. Young Glock Brady , I’ma score, yeah (Fire). Cutthroat to the core. I’ll kill a nigga with no remorse !” That’s when I thought about a psychoeducational lesson on Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). For context, the American Psychological Association (APA) defines remorse as “a s

[ 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 ] On the album Trouble & a Pair of Dice (2018), by lyricist NapsNdreds along with producer Nottz , is the track “ Blind Folds ” that features vocals by Neenah . On the chorus, Neenah sings: I know, I know you probably wear a blindfold, Because once you look, you can’t un-see anymore Tell me how does it feel to be in the dark? Will you ever see the light? As time goes by, An eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind . Regarding the last line of the chor

[ DISCLAIMER ] Message to the Grass Roots On his 2018 album I Self Lord and Master (I.S.L.A.M.) , lyricist Recognize Ali released the song “ Liftin Me Higher ” that featured a sample of the 1963 speech “ Message to the Grass Roots ” by the late black nationalist leader el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz (better known as Malcolm X ) who said: All the revolutions that’s going on in Asia and Africa today are based on what? Black nationalism . A revolutionary is a black nationali

[ 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 working in the field of nuclear security (2004-2008), I obtained a divorce. Following the ultimately healthy dissolution of that unhealthy union, I began body sculpting (achieving a lean and defined aesthetic by increasing muscle density and reducing fat to highlight muscularity). Notably, I achieved imperfect success with my interests and goals , which required a lot of cutting that which wasn’t necessary (e.g., reduction of empty caloric intake). W