[ DISCLAIMER ]   When listening to an electronic dance music (EDM) DJ set  by Xenia Torino (UA) , I heard her spin the track “ After Love ” by Anyma , from his album Genesys II (2024), featuring vocals by Delilah Montagu . The second verse states:   Where does the feeling go when it’s gone? Will it reappear? When it finds its storm ? You’ll always be the place I belong, But I’m letting go . I’m not that strong.   When contemplating these lyrics, I can relate from both a per

[ 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 ]   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 .   Stoic philosopher Seneca  stated, “I was shipwrecked before I even boarded . . . the journey showed me this—how much of what we have is unnecessary, and how easily we can decide to rid our

[ 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 ]   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 ]   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 .   Per one Stoic source , “You spend your present moment  agonizing over a future tragedy that’ll likely never happen. If it does happen, you’ll have suffered twice . If it doesn’t happen, y

[ 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 ]   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 .   Today’s lesson on Stoicism regards opinions  ( subjective , and often invalid and/or unreliable , views , judgments , or appraisals formed in the mind about a particular matter). Regardi

[ 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

[ 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 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

[ 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 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