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Gratitude: Awu Wemadoda
[DISCLAIMER] When eating breakfast after conducting physical training today, I listened to an electronic dance music (EDM) DJ set by Lexa Raballo during which she spun “Awu Wemadoda [(Extended Club Mix)]” (2023) by Spencer Brown, Wilt Claybourne, and Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Regarding the afro house track, one source claims that the South African lyrics translate to “men, please catch that dog, it bites.” As I have no way of verifying the translation, I’ll presume it’s ac

Deric Hollings
Apr 244 min read


Unexpected Strings: Escapism and Avoidance
[ DISCLAIMER ] Yesterday evening, when unwinding from a day of intense focus on Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), I listened to an electronic dance music (EDM) DJ set by Sara Collado . It was precisely the form of respite (an interval of rest or relief) I was seeking! During the set, Collado played the song “ Unexpected Strings ” (2025) by David Hasert and Moses Mehdi , featuring the elegant vocals of Lalena . The track reminded me of “ Venasque ” by Ian Pooley

Deric Hollings
Feb 175 min read


Wherever You Go, There You Are
[ DISCLAIMER ] In the summer of 2009, before I began graduate school to become a counselor, a couple of friends, my then-girlfriend,...

Deric Hollings
Sep 2, 20258 min read


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

Deric Hollings
Jun 9, 20255 min read


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

Deric Hollings
Apr 21, 20256 min read


Who You Are
[ DISCLAIMER ] In a blogpost entitled Who Are You? I addressed a scene from the 1951 animated film Alice in Wonderland —based on the...

Deric Hollings
Apr 15, 20255 min read


Dancing Through the Bullshit
[ DISCLAIMER ] To say that my time as a Marine Security Guard in Lima, Peru from August 2000 to March 2001 was challenging would be an understatement. Notably, it wasn’t difficult solely because the land area of Peru was classified as a designated hostile fire or imminent danger pay area at the time. What was originally meant to be a 15-month assignment was cut short, due tension with fellow Marines regarding various petty matters. Back then, I didn’t know about Rational

Deric Hollings
Feb 18, 20245 min read


Mental Health Days
[DISCLAIMER] Photo credit, fair use Mental health days From time to time, I hear people advocating “mental health days” related to their...

Deric Hollings
Feb 27, 20236 min read
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