[ DISCLAIMER ]   In common parlance, the term “realistic” relates to being able to see things as they really are  and to deal with them in a practical way. For instance, it isn’t realistic to train (to make prepared , as by exercise, for a test of skill) in unrealistic settings (e.g., training to swim while lying in sand).   As well, the American Psychological Association (APA) defines “training” as systematic instruction and practice by which an individual acquires compete

[ 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 ]   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 .   It isn’t uncommon for people to reach out to me regarding care for mental, emotional, and behavioral health  (collectively “ mental health ”), as they seek advice . Regarding such behavior

[ DISCLAIMER ] Photo credit , fair use   Halfway through my fifth grade year, my mom sent me from Amarillo, Texas, where I lived with her, to live with my dad in Aurora, Colorado. I was an overweight, white-appearing, biracial (white and black) child with a thick Texas accent, and who didn’t know any other kids at school.   When enrolled in Crawford Elementary School (pictured above), I was introduced to Crips  who lived in the local neighborhood. This introduction was by way

[ DISCLAIMER ]   When addressing mental, emotional, and behavior health  needs, I invite the clients with whom I work to approach wellness...

[DISCLAIMER] Only the strong I remember the passionate sound of Jerry Butler’s 1968 song “Only the Strong Survive” playing from a vinyl...

[DISCLAIMER] Photo credit, fair use Anecdotes I used to work with a Marine veteran who ran 100-mile endurance runs, sometimes in a desert...