[DISCLAIMER] As Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) was formed by the late psychologist Albert Ellis, who reportedly developed the first cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) psychotherapeutic modality in 1955, this blog entry is part of an ongoing series regarding his book, Ask Albert Ellis?: Straight Answers and Sound Advice from America’s Best-Known Psychologist. Now, REBT uses the ABC model to illustrate that when an undesirable Action occurs and you Believe an unhelp

[DISCLAIMER] I’ve made no secret of the fact that I befriended gang members when in high school. One gang set with whom I was close was the Sureños (also known as Southern United Raza, Sur 13, or Sureños X3 – groups of loosely affiliated gangs that pay tribute to the Mexican Mafia). Their main rival was the Norteños (also known as Northerners; Norteñas for females, and are the various affiliated gangs that pay tribute to Nuestra Familia). Because I was never a formal affi

[DISCLAIMER] I’ve long-enjoyed the pastime of miniature golf. When given the option to choose (to select freely and after consideration) activities for the friends with whom I spent time in Bomb City, they anticipated that I’d select going to a movie theater, a gun range, or to play miniature golf. In my head, my miniature golf skills were good (of a high or desired quality). Moreover, I maintained that I was good (of a favorable character or tendency) for having possesse

[DISCLAIMER] As Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) was formed by the late psychologist Albert Ellis, who reportedly developed the first cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) psychotherapeutic modality in 1955, this blog entry is part of an ongoing series regarding his book, Ask Albert Ellis?: Straight Answers and Sound Advice from America’s Best-Known Psychologist. I invite you to consider the pessimistic perspective of person X. After a number of alterations to her work

[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 Action occurs and you Believe an unhelpful narrative about the event, it’s your unfavorable assumption, n

[DISCLAIMER] As Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) was formed by the late psychologist Albert Ellis, who reportedly developed the first cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) psychotherapeutic modality in 1955, this blog entry is part of an ongoing series regarding his book, Ask Albert Ellis?: Straight Answers and Sound Advice from America’s Best-Known Psychologist. REBT uses unconditional acceptance (UA) to relieve self-induced suffering. This is accomplished through use

[DISCLAIMER] What’s Culture? What’s War? And What’s That About Cleavage? I used to enjoy discussions with other hip hop aficionados about whether or not the element of society in which we partook was a culture or a mere subculture. For context, the American Psychological Association (APA) thusly defines culture: 1. the values, beliefs, language, rituals, traditions, and other behaviors that are passed from one generation to another within any social group. Broad definit

[DISCLAIMER] The above photo was taken months before I enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. I’m featured posing with members of a family who took me in from my residence at a children’s home. For context, the American Psychological Association (APA) thusly defines family: 1. a kinship unit consisting of a group of individuals united by blood or by marital, adoptive, or other intimate ties. Although the family is the fundamental social unit of most human societies,

[DISCLAIMER] The Trials We Face, and a Distinction between Justice and Injustice 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 authors quote ancient Stoic philosopher Seneca, who stated, “To bear trials with a calm mind robs misfortune of its streng

[DISCLAIMER] *Friday (1995) spoilers contained herein. Photo credit, property of New Line Productions, Cube Vision, and New Line Cinema, fair use When the classic hip hop buddy stoner comedy film Friday (1995) was released months before I graduated high school, I was ignorant (lacking of knowledge, education, or awareness) about the distinction between bravery and dignity, and what it meant to be dignified. Herein, I’ll address each of these concepts, as they relate to

[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 authors quote ancient Stoic philosopher and Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, who stated, “Don’t behave as if you are destined to live forever. What’s fated hangs over you. As long as you live an

[DISCLAIMER] When listening to an electronic dance music (EDM) DJ set by Sara Collado, I heard her spin the track “I am as I am (SHNNG Rework)” (2026) by Jonasclean. Lyrics include, “I don’t believe it if he says, ‘Neither pearl nor jewel.’ It is not even that, o brother. I am as I am.” For context, the tautological phrase “I am as I am” regards acceptance of oneself without use of inflexible conditions, reflecting self-acceptance, unyielding truth, and the fundamental st

[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] 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 authors quote Roman Stoic philosopher Gaius Musonius Rufus, who stated, “The human being is born with an inclination toward virtue” (page 330). Regarding this point of view, authors of The Dai

[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

[DISCLAIMER] It was my mother who taught me to steal. From an early age, I observed her taking small items from her employer. As she was a custodian to a church congregation, she had unlimited access to plastic cups and cutlery, paper plates and napkins, and an assortment of food items. “Shhh,” my mom said, “don’t tell anyone, because I’ll lose my job if people find out.” Not only did I learn to steal, I was taught that being deceitful about the act of stealing was accept

[DISCLAIMER] When serving as a Marine Security Guard in Lima, Peru (2000-2001), I posed for the above photo when standing adjacent to the Fountain of the Plaza Mayor. Originally inaugurated in 1578, with retouching since, it features a statue of Pheme, one of the gods of Ancient Greece. During the time I was assigned to a diplomatic post in Lima, I remained a member of the Churches of Christ. As well, I still subscribed to tenets up with which I was raised in regard to the

[DISCLAIMER] With my approach to mental, emotional, and behavioral health (collectively “mental health”), I use unconditional acceptance (UA). When teaching psychoeducational lessons on this helpful tool, I invite people to accept – without unfavorable conditions – that they are imperfect. For example, as a fallible human being, I don’t tell myself something along the lines of, “Unless I can be entirely without fault or defect, then I won’t endure without protest or react