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It Better Take a Week
[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

Deric Hollings
Apr 227 min read


I Still Had to Learn the Hard Way
[ DISCLAIMER ] On the talented hip hop producer Apollo Brown ’s compilation album Grandeur (2015) is the track “ The Hard Way ” which features lyricists Saga and Ty Farris . When advising Saga, Ty Farris states: Knucklehead for life, wish you would’ve took some advice Shooting dice all night, hit the club, and start a fight That ain’t right That’s why you writing, and your homie is doing that time ‘Cause you was really doing that stupid shit you threw in your rhymes If

Deric Hollings
Apr 207 min read


Overconfidence: To Thine Own Self Be True
[ DISCLAIMER ] While serving in the field of military police (MP), aboard Camp Kinser in Okinawa, Japan (1997-1999), I had confidence (a belief or consciousness of one’s powers or of reliance on one’s circumstances). Specifically, I was confident in my ability to perform MP duties. Unfavorably, I wasn’t well-liked by many of my peers. This is because I began with the belief that I was competent at my job and then lapsed into overconfidence which the American Psych

Deric Hollings
Apr 2011 min read


A Special Burden
[ DISCLAIMER ] With Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), I opt for use of self about which one source states, “The term use of self in therapy refers specifically to the ways in which the therapist draws upon their own feelings , experiences or personality to enhance the therapeutic process.” As “feelings” were referenced by the aforementioned source, I find it valuable to clarify what this element represents in regard to the construct of beliefs . I say this be

Deric Hollings
Apr 1912 min read


Disgust
[ DISCLAIMER ] From the third compilation album Revenge of the Dreamers III (2019), by Dreamville Records , is the song “ Disgusted ” by rappers Cozz and Childish Major . The track begins with Cozz stating: I’m disgusted, she said she[’s] in love, but it’s nothin’ we discussed yet Says she love my hair, and that shit growin’ so luscious And she wanna fuck, but I know she fucked my cousin Every time I think about you I say, “You[’re] disgustin’!” Per the American Psych

Deric Hollings
Apr 1713 min read


You Have Choices
[ 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 Epictetus who stated, “You can bind up my leg, but not even Zeus has the power to break my freedom of choice ” (page 274). Choice is defined

Deric Hollings
Apr 145 min read


Excuses, Explanations, and Justifications
[ 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

Deric Hollings
Apr 127 min read


Sumthin' Wicked This Way Comes
[ 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

Deric Hollings
Apr 1111 min read


My Ex Can't Stand It
[ 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
Apr 118 min read


We Gotta Rock It, Don't Stop... Until We Die
[ 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

Deric Hollings
Apr 1011 min read


Real Terrorism: Operation Eternal Darkness
[ 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

Deric Hollings
Apr 910 min read


Impermanence and Uncertainty: I Don't Know Where Tomorrow Will Take Me
[ 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

Deric Hollings
Apr 85 min read


It Is in Your Power Not to Want What You Don't Have
[ 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

Deric Hollings
Apr 54 min read


Kno One: A Negative Evaluation - People Aren't Their Behavior
[ 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

Deric Hollings
Apr 37 min read


It Is More Human to Laugh at Life Than to Lament It
[ 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

Deric Hollings
Apr 310 min read


Clapping: Either You'll Keep a Tool, or You'll Get Caught Lackin'
[ 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

Deric Hollings
Apr 215 min read


Either You Live, or You Die: It's Cut and Dry
[ 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
Apr 29 min read


I'm From Texas
[ 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

Deric Hollings
Apr 19 min read


Move Around Wit' That Outta Town Game 'Round Here
[ 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 309 min read


Dead Internet: Motherfucking Shit, Goddamn Asshole
[ 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

Deric Hollings
Mar 2811 min read
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