[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. Regarding my professional care for mental, emotional, and behavioral health (collectively “mental health”),

[DISCLAIMER] If memory serves, it was during high school that my older sister introduced me to the work of dancehall artist Shabba Ranks. For instance, on his studio album X-tra Naked (1992) was the song “Will Power”, which I enjoyed. Using Jamaican Patois, lyrics include the following: [Intro] Mind over matter Will take yuh everything proper Will power Strong mind and ability caan affi yuh prosperity Shabba Ranks say, and that the world say Yuh nuh know seh that the yute

[DISCLAIMER] When practicing personal and professional care for mental, emotional, and behavioral health (collectively “mental health”), I often encounter unproductive narratives related to one’s environment, which the American Psychological Association (APA) thusly defines: [T]he aggregate of external agents or conditions—physical, biological, social, and cultural—that influence the functions of an organism. The physical environment may be measured in terms of temperatur

[DISCLAIMER] In 1999, British electronic dance music (EDM) collective Underworld (the principal collaborative project of Karl Hyde and Rick Smith) released their fifth studio album, Beaucoup Fish. It contained the track “Push Upstairs”. Per one source, “In business, to ‘push upstairs’ means to promote someone either unwillingly or with an ulterior motive,” as I liken this phase to one aspect of mental, emotional, and behavioral health (collectively “mental health”). Speci

[DISCLAIMER] On his third studio album, Love Story (2015), rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer Yelawolf released the song “Till It’s Gone”, which was produced by WLPWR. On the chorus and hook, Yelawolf sings: Ain’t much I can do, but I do what I can But I’m not a fool, there’s no need to pretend Just because you got yourself in some shit It doesn’t mean I have to come deal with it You handle your own when you become a man And become a man when you handle your

[DISCLAIMER] I appreciate that lyricist Awon collaborated with music producer Phoniks on the album Nothing Less (2021). In particular, I reminisce upon the song “Fatherhood”, which was produced by DJ Eveready. Through a mix of various audio samples and Awon’s contribution, the chorus states: Be a father (inspiration when I write, I see my daughter’s eyes) Be a father (resurrect through the birth of my son, and live again) Fatherhood, it ain’t nothin’ like it Baby born, an

[DISCLAIMER] The James Talarico Fiasco In my personal and professional practice of care for mental, emotional, and behavioral health (collectively “mental health”), I sometimes encounter the unhelpful effects of stigma—which the American Psychological Association thusly defines: [T]he negative social attitude attached to a characteristic of an individual that may be regarded as a mental, physical, or social deficiency. A stigma implies social disapproval and can lead un

[DISCLAIMER] I Was Once a Girl Dad, Wife Guy, and Feminist When serving in the United States Marine Corps (1996-2007), I met a female Marine (i.e., woman) who was physically separated from her male Marine husband (i.e., man). Together, they had a daughter (i.e., girl) who was six-months-old at the time when I first met her. After finalizing her divorce, the woman proposed to me and I accepted her hand in marriage (2002). Thus, her daughter became my stepdaughter. Althou

[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, as the matter pertains to this blogpost, the American Psychological Association (APA) defines social l

[DISCLAIMER] Ain’t No Fun (If the Homies Can’t Have None) – Sexual Assault and Rape When I was in high school, rapper Snoop Dogg released his debut album Doggystyle (1993), which turned out to be a subjectively phenomenal joint serving as a soundtrack to the later portion of my sophomore year. It was a quintessential West Coast hip hop and g-funk classic! Noteworthy, the anthology contained the track “Ain’t No Fun (If the Homies Can’t Have None)” which featured the late

[DISCLAIMER] On Canadian lyricist Classified’s fifth major release, Tomorrow Could Be the Day Things Change (2018), is the song “Accept It”. Personally meaningful, he states on the second verse: He was searching for some work, referred to the reserves Took it further, got deployed to serve his country undeterred His wife worried, crying, when she hugged him and said goodbye Told his kids he had to leave, but they never understood why, no Active duty, overseas, saw some th

[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] 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] 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] While listening to an electronic dance music (EDM) DJ set by Amëriko Nunez, I heard him spin the track “What You Said” by Maddow, featuring vocals by Manela, from the album Back in the Club (2021). On the song, Manela disempoweringly states: What you said Is all over my head What you said Is all over my head Is all over my head Don’t make me sad What you said What you said Is all over my head For context, the American Psychological Association (APA) defines

[DISCLAIMER] Magic and Magick At an early age, I learned of magic. I’m not talking about magic (illusion) as “a performing art in which audiences are entertained by tricks, effects, or illusions of seemingly impossible feats, using natural means.” Rather, the American Psychological Association (APA) defines magic as: [A] system of practices in which humans attempt to manipulate natural or supernatural forces through such means as rituals, incantations, and spells. Magic