empowerment

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DISCLAIMER

Due Process: Too Much Power

[DISCLAIMER] When practicing Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), I often make use of linguistics, which the American Psychological Association (APA) defines as “the scientific study of the physical, structural, functional, psychological, and social characteristics of human language.” Thus, I also dabble in semantics, which the APA defines as “in linguistics, the study of meaning in language, as opposed to the study of formal relationships (grammar) or sound systems

Deric Hollings

4 days ago17 min read

Self-Mastery Required for Real and Lasting Power

[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)

The Daily Stoic

Deric Hollings

Jul 56 min read

Letting Go of Control

[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

The Daily Stoic

Deric Hollings

Jul 216 min read

Higher Learning and Class Struggle: If There Is No Struggle, There Is No Progress

[DISCLAIMER] *Ladies First (2026) and Higher Learning (1995) spoilers contained herein. Ladies First I recently watched Ladies First (2026) while intentionally practicing Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). As I patiently sat through the film, I created mental notes for a psychoeducational lesson on unity (a condition of harmony). Yet, I rejected the feminist piece of propaganda, which the American Psychological Association defines as “a method of social control t

Hip Hop and REBT

Deric Hollings

May 2418 min read

Empowerment vs. Disempowerment: Just Doing It for the Love of the Game

[DISCLAIMER] When assigned to the Marine Security Guard (MSG) detachment (det) in Rio de Janeiro, Brasil (1999-2000), my Brasilian Portuguese tutor gave me advice which she’d plausibly have given to those about whom she cared. “Xuxu,” she said, “Stay away from piranhas!” For context, “xuxu” (pronounced “shoo-shoo”) is a Brasilian Portuguese slang term that, in my case, was used endearingly to mean “cutie.” As for “piranhas,” the tutor wasn’t referencing fish. Rather, it’s

EDM and REBT

Deric Hollings

May 2311 min read

Focus On What You Can Control

[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. Regarding Stoicism, I invite you to consider that REBT uses unconditional acceptance (UA) to relieve self-induced suffering. This is accomplished through use of unconditional self-acceptance (USA)

The Daily Stoic

Deric Hollings

May 116 min read

Pain Away: Learned Helplessness

[DISCLAIMER] On his fifth studio album OMW2 Rexdale (2025) rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer Nav released the song “Pain Away”. Lyrics of the chorus state: (Take all my pain away) You just like medicine, you take my pain away (Take all my pain) You just like therapy, you take good care of me (Take all my pain away) You just like Novocain, you gon’ numb the pain (Take all my pain) You just like therapy, you take good care of me On the track, Nav addresses t

The Daily Stoic

Deric Hollings

Apr 268 min read

Outcome: Victim Mentality and Playing the Victim

[ DISCLAIMER ] * Outcome (2026) spoilers contained herein. Photo credit , property of Apple Studios, Apple TV, and Strong Baby Productions, fair use When discussing mental, emotional, and behavioral health (collectively “ mental health ”), I often discuss what it is to be a victim (an individual who is the target of another person’s violent , discriminatory , harassing, or assaultive behaviors). There’s a reason that I address this matter. I posit that there’s a di

Deric Hollings

Apr 1917 min read

Shackled and Miserable

[ 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 . Have you ever been subject to wearing shackles (something such as a manacle or fetter that confines the legs or arms)? It can be an unpleasant experience. About this, the authors quote an

The Daily Stoic

Deric Hollings

Apr 136 min read

The House Negro and the Field Negro: Suffer Peacefully

[ 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

Hip Hop and REBT

Deric Hollings

Mar 2418 min read

My, My, My: If I Could Turn Back Time

[ DISCLAIMER ] The electronic dance music (EDM) song “ My My My ”, by house music producer and DJ Armand van Helden , from his album Nympho (2005), contains a sample of the song “ Comin’ Apart ” by Gary Wright from the album The Right Place (1981). I like the line “ooh, ooh-wee!” For context, “ooh-wee” (also spelled oohwee, ooowee, or hoo-wee) is an informal interjection used to express intense excitement, admiration, astonishment, or joy . As an example, “Ooh-wee, I’

EDM and REBT

Deric Hollings

Feb 155 min read