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How Could You Ever Right These Wrongs When You Don't Even Write Your Songs?
[ DISCLAIMER ] On his album DAYTONA (2018), lyricist Pusha T released the song “ Infrared ” which was produced by lyricist Kanye West . The track features samples from 24-Carat Black ’s “ I Want to Make Up ” (2009) and lyricist Jay-Z ’s “ The Prelude ” (2006). Noteworthy, Pusha T says, “How could you ever right these wrongs when you don’t even write your songs?” Per one source , the lyricist dissed rapper Drake with that line for the latter’s alleged use of a ghostwri

Deric Hollings
Mar 234 min read


Project Hail Mary: Male Expendability and Conscription
[ DISCLAIMER ] * Project Hail Mary (2026) spoilers contained herein. Photo credit , property of Amazon MGM Studios and Sony Pictures Releasing International, fair use Although I never read the 2021 hard science fiction novel Project Hail Mary , I recently watched the 2026 science fiction adventure film Project Hail Mary . Regarding the plot summary, one source states: Science teacher Ryland Grace ( Ryan Gosling ) wakes up on a spaceship light years from home with no r

Deric Hollings
Mar 2312 min read


I'm Sick of Being in the Same Situation With You
[ 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

Deric Hollings
Mar 228 min read


Something Gon' Have to Shake, Dawg
[ 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

Deric Hollings
Mar 209 min read


Obstacle, Just Another Obstacle
[ DISCLAIMER ] When in the Marine Corps (1996-2007), I bowled quite a bit. As a matter of full disclosure, I’m not a skilled bowler. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the challenge of an obstacle (something that impedes progress or achievement). In my case, my lack of skill at bowling was the obstacle. Somehow, it was as though other Marines were naturally accomplished bowlers. Yet, my balls spent more time in the gutter than not. (If you read a sexual innuendo in that last senten

Deric Hollings
Mar 204 min read


Is Your Hood Terrible?
[ 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

Deric Hollings
Mar 209 min read


It Must Be Two Sides
[ 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

Deric Hollings
Mar 188 min read


Concern With the Here and Now
[ DISCLAIMER ] I practice Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), a psychotherapeutic modality developed by the late psychologist Albert Ellis . Unlike other models which focus on the past (having existed or taken place in a period before the present), I stated of REBT in It’s In the Past : The overwhelming majority of clients with whom I’ve ever worked have discussed unresolved issues of the past. While I meet with these individuals in the present, I’m unable to alte

Deric Hollings
Mar 1710 min read


Living in the World Today: When I Feel It in My Bones
[ 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

Deric Hollings
Mar 1611 min read


I Should'a, but I Gotta
[ 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

Deric Hollings
Mar 157 min read


Blocked by Fears
[ DISCLAIMER ] When living in Rio de Janeiro, Brasil (1999-2000), my girlfriend invited me to take cityscape photos at Pedra Bonita —one of the peaks in Tijuca National Park at approximately 520 meters above sea level. Noteworthy, in the above photo, I gripped her tightly out of more than passion. This is because I had undiagnosed acrophobia, which the American Psychological Association (APA) defines as “an excessive, irrational fear of heights, resulting in the avoid

Deric Hollings
Mar 139 min read


It's Warfare, so You Better Get Your Weapon
[ 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

Deric Hollings
Mar 1311 min read


Becoming "Must Win Losers": Take the L
[ DISCLAIMER ] When recently listening to the song “ Slick Talk ” by lyricist JID , from his album DiCaprio 2 (2018), I paid close attention as he stated, “Pissed off, I done took my fifth loss this week. Big dog, I can scratch that shit off like fleas.” I then thought of a psychoeducational lesson. Before I proceed, a couple points of context may be useful. First, being “pissed off” means that one is angry , enraged , or irritated . Second, in hip hop, the phrase “take

Deric Hollings
Mar 129 min read


We All Gon' Go One Day
[ DISCLAIMER ] Irrespective of whether or not I’m working with clients on any given day, I practice Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)—even in my dreams. For instance, I continually remind myself about the importance of tolerance and acceptance regarding most conditions in life. For context, REBT uses unconditional acceptance (UA) to relieve self-induced suffering . This is accomplished through use of unconditional self-acceptance (USA), unconditional other-acce

Deric Hollings
Mar 124 min read


We Gotta Stop Killing Each Other
[ 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

Deric Hollings
Mar 109 min read


Ghost in the Shell
[ DISCLAIMER ] Earlier, I reminisced about the past (2015) as I used to drive an hour from my home when working with veterans and their caregivers while providing services for mental, emotional, and behavioral health (collectively “ mental health ”). I don’t miss that one-hour commute, both ways. Nevertheless, I spent a lot of time listening to new music during my drives. Specifically, I earlier listened to the album Tetsuo & Youth (2015) by lyricist Lupe Fiasco . My fa

Deric Hollings
Mar 97 min read


Bloodlust: Homicidal Ideation
[ DISCLAIMER ] Photo credit , property of Animate Film and Tokyo Theatres Company, fair use When stationed in Okinawa, Japan (1997-1999), I enjoyed a number of Japanese animated films. My favorite was Ninja Scroll (1993) that takes place in feudal Japan and follows Jūbei Kibagami , a mercenary swordsman who battles the Eight Devils of Kimon . The Devils are a team of ninjas with supernatural powers who are intent on overthrowing the Tokugawa shogunate . In one memorable

Deric Hollings
Mar 95 min read


Unhappiness Isn't Externally Caused: You Can Hoot, Hide, and Talk That Shit
[ DISCLAIMER ] I’ve paid close attention to the 2026 Iran war , which some United States (U.S.) politicians still uncharitably refuse to categorize as a “war,” as there’s an ongoing global discussion about the potential for World War III (WW III). About this matter, one source states: World War III, also known as the Third World War, is a hypothetical future global conflict subsequent to World War I (1914–1918) and World War II (1939–1945). It is widely predicted that

Deric Hollings
Mar 811 min read


Apply Pressure
[ 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, “Apply yourself to thinking through difficulties—hard times can be softened, tight squeezes widened, and heavy loads made l

Deric Hollings
Mar 84 min read


Better Let It Go
[ DISCLAIMER ] In 2006, hip hop duo Little Brother (lyricists Phonte and Big Pooh ) released Separate but Equal which contained the track “ Let It Go ”, produced by 9th Wonder , that featured lyricist Yasiin Bey and a sample of “ Got to Get Along ” (1976) by Jamaican reggae fusion band Third World . Notably, the hook states, “ Let it go . Ah, ah, let it go. Better let it go. Ah, just let it go. Pull it back, let it go. Ah, and let it flow, like… (All my hopes were

Deric Hollings
Mar 612 min read
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