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Burning Coals
[ DISCLAIMER ] By the time family X, from a Churches of Christ congregation of which I was a member, took me into their home during my sophomore year of high school, transferring me from a children’s home, I’d already been raised under the doctrine of the Jehovah’s Witnesses for most of my life. What family X, who lived in Amarillo, Texas, didn’t know was that when living in Aurora, Colorado between half of my fifth grade to half of my seventh grade years, I became acqu
Deric Hollings
Nov 5, 20258 min read
You Gotta Be Better Than the Ones Who Precede Ya
[ 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
Nov 5, 20257 min read
Chilling Effect on Free Speech
[ DISCLAIMER ] I imagine that the one or two people who infrequently peruse my blog for psychoeducational lessons on my approach to Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) may be surprised to occasionally encounter content related to the First Amendment : Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and
Deric Hollings
Nov 4, 202513 min read
Whatever's Whispered in Darkness Has to Come to Light
[ 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
Nov 4, 20258 min read
Peace of Mind From No Wrongdoing
[ 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
Deric Hollings
Nov 4, 202510 min read
Normativity Standard
[ DISCLAIMER ] A standard is something established by authority, custom, or general consent as a model or example. A norm is an authoritative standard; a principle of right action binding upon the members of a group and serving to guide, control , or regulate proper and acceptable behavior . Regarding what is considered a normative standard, the American Psychological Association (APA) states that such elements serve as a “comparison for a person or group of people, oft
Deric Hollings
Nov 3, 20257 min read
No Longer a Honey Badger
[ DISCLAIMER ] Before I’m able to adequately present a psychoeducational lesson on my approach to Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), some context is necessary regarding this relatively lengthy post. On June 30, 2023, I posted a blog entry entitled On Sheepdogs in which I stated: Using a rational approach to this matter, I think I’d rather be a honey badger that isn’t anywhere in the vicinity of the sheep, wolf, sheepdog trio. After all, I’ve been reliably info
Deric Hollings
Nov 3, 202515 min read
Following Examples
[ 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, “Let us also produce some bold act of our own—and join the ranks of the most emulated [that to which one strives to eq
Deric Hollings
Nov 3, 20256 min read
GTFOH
[ 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
Nov 2, 20259 min read
White Horse: You Got to Be a Bitch
[ 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
Nov 2, 202511 min read
Putting Too Much Weight in Strangers' Opinions
[ DISCLAIMER ] Photo credit , meme maker: Thankyoumrdata , property of Paramount Television, fair use With my daily practice of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), I sometimes visit the social media platform Reddit. At times, I’ll discover content regarding serious topics. At other times, I’ll find subjectively humorous information. The current blogpost regards the latter. Recently, I came across the meme above that reminded me of a time when I used to watch the
Deric Hollings
Nov 1, 20259 min read
Must I Kick a Curse to Be Rough Enough?
[ 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
Nov 1, 20259 min read
Mill's Trident
[ DISCLAIMER ] When providing psychoeducational lessons on Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), I invite people to consider thinking and beliefs which are rational (in accordance with both logic and reason ). Because I don’t assume that people know specific terms, allow me to define them. First, censorship is the institution, system, or practice of censoring—examining in order to suppress or delete anything considered objectionable, as self-censorship is the act
Deric Hollings
Nov 1, 202512 min read
We Must Seize What Flees
[ 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
Deric Hollings
Nov 1, 20256 min read
Circular Argument
[ DISCLAIMER ] Photo credit , fair use When providing psychoeducational lessons on Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), I invite people to consider thinking and beliefs which are rational (in accordance with both logic and reason ). Because I don’t assume that people know specific terms, allow me to define them. First, it may be worthwhile to distinguish between thoughts and beliefs. A thought is an individual act or product of thinking . A belief is a state or
Deric Hollings
Oct 31, 20258 min read
Best to Live Your Life to the Fullest
[ 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
Oct 31, 20259 min read
Depression and Reasoned Choice
[ 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, “Where is Good ? In our reasoned choices . Where is Evil ? In our reasoned choices . Where is that which is neither Good
Deric Hollings
Oct 31, 202516 min read
I Don't Agree With Everything That Anyone Says
[ DISCLAIMER ] I don’t agree with everything that anyone says. “Anyone?” you may ask. Anyone! Taking this proclamation a step further, I don’t agree with everything that even I’ve ever said. “What?” you may respond. After all, I’m able to change my mind when considering additional information. Therefore, there are many positions I’ve historically supported that I don’t currently advocate. Personally, this approach to rational living is how one may achieve what Stoic a
Deric Hollings
Oct 30, 202511 min read
Your Life's Worth More Than Mine
[ 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
Deric Hollings
Oct 29, 202510 min read
Ya Better Back Up!
[ 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
Oct 29, 20257 min read
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