[DISCLAIMER] When practicing Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), I use personal responsibility and accountability (collectively “ownership”). For improved understanding, responsibility is defined as the quality or state of being responsible, such as a moral, legal, or mental accountability. Here, “responsible” is defined as liable to be called to account as the primary cause, motive, or agent, and being able to answer for one’s conduct and obligations—something, suc

[DISCLAIMER] When practicing Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), I use personal responsibility and accountability (collectively “ownership”). For improved understanding, responsibility is defined as the quality or state of being responsible, such as a moral, legal, or mental accountability. Here, “responsible” is defined as liable to be called to account as the primary cause, motive, or agent, and being able to answer for one’s conduct and obligations—something, suc

[DISCLAIMER] When practicing Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), I use personal responsibility and accountability (collectively “ownership”). For improved understanding, responsibility is defined as the quality or state of being responsible, such as a moral, legal, or mental accountability. Here, “responsible” is defined as liable to be called to account as the primary cause, motive, or agent, and being able to answer for one’s conduct and obligations—something, suc

[DISCLAIMER] When providing professional care for mental, emotional, and behavioral health (collectively “mental health”), regarding two clients I see for individual sessions, I heard each of these people—who don’t know one another—use the term “c-word” for cancer, as one source states: Cancer is a group of diseases involving uncontrolled cell growth typically resulting in tumors with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body. These malignant tumors con

[DISCLAIMER] I view many events through the proverbial lens of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). Herein, I’ll provide a psychoeducational lesson that involves thinking and believing which is rational (in accordance with both logic and reason), or not (i.e., irrational), as it regards REBT. Here, “logic” is the interrelation or sequence of facts or events when seen as inevitable or predictable, and “reason” is a statement offered in explanation or justification. Fo

[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] On the third studio album, Getback (2007), by hip hop group Little Brother (lyricists Phonte and Big Pooh, and producer 9th Wonder) is the song “Can’t Win for Losing” which was produced by !llmind. Before exploring a portion of the song’s content, I’ll address the track’s namesake. Per one source, the phrase “can’t win for losing” means that the “odds are stacked against me. (Or no matter how much I try, I never succeed.).” This is a matter of hopelessness (t

[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] *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

[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

[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)

[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

[ 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

[ 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 ] 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’

[ DISCLAIMER ] As Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) is informed by Stoic philosophy , this blog entry is part of an ongoing...

[ DISCLAIMER ] * Cool Hand Luke spoilers contained herein Not having seen the film since early adulthood, I recently re-watched Cool...