[ 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 attending United States Marine Corps Recruit Training (1996), a drill instructor stated to my platoon, “If someday a person accused you of being a Marine, would there be enough evidence to convict you? ” His appeal was to how we would one day carry ourselves as Marines.   For instance, would we exemplify military physical fitness standards, maintain military bearing, adhere to uniform standards, and so forth? If there wasn’t enough evidence to convict on

[ DISCLAIMER ]   The above photo was taken in 1991, shortly after my sister and I were placed into the Southwest Cottage (SWC) of a children’s home. That’s when I began the informal practice of life coaching . Mainly, I assisted other children with their problems , while also aiding some adults on campus.   I’ve deliberately chosen not to clean up the highly speckled and off-centered photograph, as to represent the imperfect nature of my being ( unconditional self-acceptance

[ DISCLAIMER ] Photo credit , fair use   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 emperor Marcus Aurelius  who stated, “Watch the stars in their courses and imagine yourself running alongside them. Think constantly

[ 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 ’s first century AD fabula crepidata (Roman tragedy with Greek subject) Thyestes , as follows: “ Tantalus : The highest power  is— Thyes

[ DISCLAIMER ]   When providing care for mental, emotional, and behavioral health  (collectively “mental health”), I invite people to consider perspective shifts . Are you familiar with this helpful approach to rational living ? For context, the American Psychological Association defines  perspective as:    “[T]he ability to view objects, events, and ideas  in realistic proportions and relationships,” and, “the capacity of an individual to take into account and potentially u

[ DISCLAIMER ]   In a blogpost entitled Practice How You Perform , I discussed a concept that I learned in childhood: Practice how you play and play how you practice. This expression was also reflected throughout my training when I served in the United States (U.S.) Marine Corps (1996-2007).   For example, the above photo is the only image I have depicting my law enforcement defensive tactics  training when becoming military police (MP) while stationed aboard Fort McClellan ,

[ DISCLAIMER ]   In my younger years, I lacked the wisdom to understand that the knowledge I assumed  wasn’t true  or subject to change....

[ DISCLAIMER ]   When on voluntary appellate leave  from the Marine Corps, as I worked in the field of nuclear security , I continued my...

[ DISCLAIMER ] Photo credit , fair use   Within my blog, I make no secret of the fact  that when I served as a Marine I was placed in a...

[ DISCLAIMER ]   As Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy  (REBT) is informed by Stoic philosophy , this blog entry is part of an ongoing...

[ DISCLAIMER ]   As Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy  (REBT) is informed by Stoic philosophy , this blog entry is part of an ongoing...

[ DISCLAIMER ]   When I was in elementary school, my mom often complained about her finances. Frequently, my sisters and I were blamed...

[ DISCLAIMER ] Photo credit  (edited), fair use   Imagine receiving a telephone call from an attorney who informs you that a relative to...

[ DISCLAIMER ]   When providing psychoeducational lessons to improve one’s mental, emotional, and behavioral health  (collectively...

[ DISCLAIMER ]   As Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy  (REBT) is informed by Stoic philosophy , this blog entry is part of an ongoing...

[ DISCLAIMER ]   As Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy  (REBT) is informed by Stoic philosophy , this blog entry is part of an ongoing...

[ DISCLAIMER ]   Although she taught me how to steal from organizations such as the church congregation for which she worked as a...

[ DISCLAIMER ]   As a kid, I was fan of the Chicago Bears . Although I didn’t know the rules of so-called “ American ” (United States)...

[ DISCLAIMER ]   The above selfie was taken during my internship at the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, in association with...