[DISCLAIMER] A psychoeducational lesson on Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) came to mind when listening to the track “Grab Hold” by the Perceptionists (lyricists Mr. Lif and Akrobatik, and DJ Fakts One), produced by 8-Bza, and from the album Resolution (2017). The chorus states: Trying to grab hold of what you can’t control [x2] (There’s no end, when you’re…) Trying to grab hold of what you can’t control (You can’t win, when you’re…) Trying to grab hold of what yo

[DISCLAIMER] Photo credit, fair use Defining Terms When listening to the latest electronic dance music (EDM) DJ set by Roksana—who’s not yet produced a mix that I haven’t thoroughly enjoyed—I heard her spin the hard techno/Schranz song “Domination” (2025), by Holy Priest and REKKT. It damn near melted my face off /s! For context, in common parlance, domination is defined as supremacy or preeminence over another, exercise of mastery or ruling power, and exercise of prepo

[DISCLAIMER] Photo credit, property of New Line Cinema, fair use I recall when the hip hop comedy film House Party (1990) was released. As I was a fan of duo Kid ‘n Play (lyricists Christopher “Kid” Reid and Christopher “Play” Martin), I laughed quite a bit at their comedic antics. Among my peers, recitation of House Party lines was common. This included one scene in which members of R&B group Full Force confronted singer George Clinton (of music collective Parliament-Fun

[DISCLAIMER] In elementary school, my sisters and I were latchkey kids (children who return to an empty home after school, or who are often left at home with no supervision). Frequently subject to boredom, we found novel ways of entertaining ourselves—often to the detriment of one another. Employing a psychotherapeutic technique known as use of self, I told client X, “My sisters and I would intentionally drag our thick cotton socks across 1980’s plush carpet, generating l

[DISCLAIMER] When recently discussing electronic dance music (EDM) with client X, I employed the psychotherapeutic technique of professional use of self by briefly mentioning my former hobby as a DJ and period of time in my life when I attended nightclubs, festivals, and raves. As client X is also a fan of EDM, I said, “Back in my day,” at the risk of sounding like an old fogy, “we understood that it was called ‘electronic dance music’ for a reason, not ESM—electronic sta

[DISCLAIMER] Water Underwear – Why so beeg? As summertime is in full effect, I’m reminded of a conversation that I once had with friend X about bikinis (two-piece bathing suits worn by women, which do not cover the midriff). She laughed when I referred to these popular swimwear items as “water underwear.” Somehow, people are supposed to abandon thoughts (the process of thinking, an idea, image, opinion, or other product of thinking, and attention or consideration given

[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 Stoic Epictetus stated, “I tell you, you only have to learn to live like the healthy person does . . . living with complete confidence. What confidence? The only one worth holding, in what is

[DISCLAIMER] On her album It Gets Greater Later (2016), lyricist Tiff the Gift released the track “Love Rules the Streets”, featuring lyricists Awon and Dephlow, and produced by Phoniks. The first verse of the song contains the line, “The whole world doesn’t give a fuck about your problems.” For context, the phrase “give a fuck” is similar to the saying “give a damn,” as it regards a vulgar slang idiom meaning to care, show interest, or be concerned about someone or somet

[DISCLAIMER] While aware of the fact that the proverbial ride of life inevitably ends, as I’m waiting for my ride to show up (any day now!), I reflect upon the literal rides in which I’ve traveled throughout the years. For context, in urban vernacular, a ride refers to a vehicle (e.g., a 1964 Chevrolet Impala). When reminiscing in this fashion, I’m reminded of my dad’s yellow fifth generation Lincoln Continental. When I was a young boy, my dad used to take me for rides (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. Now, consider that on his debut commercial mixtape Misunderstood (2019), the late rapper JayDaYoungan released the song “Survive”, in which he said, “We gon’ come bust your fuckin’ brain, so, puss

[DISCLAIMER] Photo credit (edited), property of Philips, fair use Within my blog, I often reference my late mother. Despite her flaws, of which there were many – though perhaps no more so than my own, she wasn’t a good or bad person. She was merely a fallible human being, as am I. Therefore, any interpretation I have of her behavior is subjective. One act which was personally favorable regards how my mom used to sing when cleaning our home, holding me close, or whenever h

[DISCLAIMER] In 2003, the group Little Brother, then comprised of lyricists Phonte and Big Pooh, and producer 9th Wonder, released their debut studio album The Listening. Although 9th Wonder departed the group in 2007, Little Brother remains one of my favorite hip hop collectives till this day. The Listening contained track “Whatever You Say” that featured samples from several other songs, as was common of 9th Wonder’s memorable mixing style. Then, in 2007, the album 9th

[DISCLAIMER] When practicing Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), I often use irreverent communication (a style of interaction that deliberately disregards normativity standards or expected politeness, incorporating humor, sarcasm, frankness, and atypical observations). This includes expletives (exclamatory words or phrases, especially those which are obscene or profane), also referred to as cusswords, profanity, swear words, and obscenities. For example, the term “m

[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. Before discovering Stoicism, I pondered the self-mastery (conscious control over one’s behavior) required (called for as suitable or appropriate) for real (having objective independent existence)

[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. Using a Stoic perspective, I view many events through the proverbial lens of REBT. Thus, I’ll now provide a psychoeducational lesson that involves thinking and believing which is rational (in acco

[DISCLAIMER] The American Psychological Association (APA) defines sobriety as “a state in which one abstains [chooses not to do or have something] from drinking or taking drugs for a period of time; that is, abstinence.” In a blogpost entitled A Lifetime of Sobriety, I stated of this matter: [B]ecause I was the single sober teen in my friend group during high school, having been given the nickname “2-Nice” partially for this reason, I did a fair share of babysitting peopl

[DISCLAIMER] During my sophomore year of high school, the Lords of the Underground (L.O.T.U.G.), a hip hop trio composed of lyricists Dupré Kelly (DoItAll), Al’Terik Wardrick (Mr. Funke), and Bruce A. Colston (DJ Lord Jazz), came on to the scene with Here Comes the Lords (1993). The debut studio album contained the song “Psycho”, which was produced by Marley Marl, and represents the golden age of hip hop. Regarding the antiquated term “psycho,” I stated in Psychopathy and