[ DISCLAIMER ] Photo credit , fair use   REBT   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 .   Authors of The Daily Stoic  quote ancient Stoic philosopher Epictetus  who stated, “The task of a philosopher: we should bring our will  into harmony with w

[ 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 A ction occurs and you B elieve an unhelpful narrative about the event, it’s your unfavorable a

[ DISCLAIMER ] Photo credit , fair use   When practicing Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy  (REBT) with client X recently, I used the analogy of how one’s life is similar to cake. As well, I engaged professional use of self  (a psychotherapist’s intentional and skillful use of one’s whole self as a tool for understanding ).   For context, I’m not typically fond of lemon-flavored food items. As an example, I enjoy cake quite a bit. However, I dislike lemony foods to the degre

[ DISCLAIMER ]   When listening to an electronic dance music (EDM) DJ set  by K_Oxana , I heard her spin the track “ Be a Better You ” by Daniel Jaeger , on the album Be a Better You  (2017). I then thought of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy  (REBT). It’s my preferred self-help  strategy.   Worth noting, I think the version of the song spun by K_Oxana was by Jaeger, though it was contained on the album Criminal Bassline - Most Wanted Mixed by Daniel Jaeger (DJ Mix)  (2024)

[ DISCLAIMER ]   I recall listening to rapper Lil Wayne ’s ninth mixtape, No Ceilings  (2009), and hearing the track “ Sweet Dreams ” which featured vocalist Beyoncé and rapper Nicki Minaj . Thus, it was around the time of hip hop label Young Money Entertainment ’s reign that I became familiar with Minaj.   Personally, Minaj is a rapper and not a lyricist. For context, a lyricist concentrates on the art of storytelling, devotes attention toward written lyrics, experiments wi

[ DISCLAIMER ]   Too Bad   On the 2024 EP She. , rapper ARDN  featured the track “ Too Bad ” in which he stated, “Too bad I… too bad, I know. Too bad I know. Too bad, I gotta get going. She too bad, I know. Too bad, I know. Too bad, I gotta  get going.” Considering the cited lyrics, definitions may be helpful.   The phrase “too bad” may be used to show that one is sorry or feels  bad about something. For example, when departing from a location in which his romantic partner

[ DISCLAIMER ]   When recently listening to an electronic dance music (EDM) DJ set  by DJ Ellika , I heard her spin the track “ How I Feel (Am I Wrong) ” by Faul & Wad , Nico & Vinz , ALTÉGO , and Old Jim . Lyrics include the following:   So, am I wrong ? For thinkin’ that we could be something for real? Now, am I wrong? For tryna reach the things that I can’t see? But that’s just how I feel  (ooh) That’s just how I feel  (ooh) That’s just how I feel Tryna reach the things th

[ DISCLAIMER ]   On lyricist Vinnie Paz ’s album Burn Everything That Bears Your Name  (2021) is the track “ Digital Veil ” that features M.A.V. and a vocal sample of an origin unknown to me. The man on the snippet appears to be speaking to a group of people, as the introduction of the song states:   Everything, as far as I’m concerned, everything is predestined . Everybody’s scared shitless of that word—predestined. It’s all predestined. Everything’s…this is predestined. We

[ DISCLAIMER ]   Earlier, when looking through video content from my time in the Marine Corps (1996-2007), for a Veterans Day  blogpost, I came across footage of my first time ice skating. In 1998, when stationed in Okinawa, Japan, I found that there was no exception to gravity’s force when on ice.   The memory of that subjectively humorous event reminded me of a Passport Rav song from his 2021 album Sand in My Carry On , entitled “ Ice Skating ”. For those who are unfamilia

[ DISCLAIMER ]   The above photo was taken during a Marine Corps noncommissioned officer (NCO) Mess Night , which is a formal, traditional dinner and ceremony that fosters camaraderie and celebrates Marine customs. In the picture, I’m featured with two of my friends (persons XX and XY).   Individuals who remain familiar with my blog are likely aware of the fact that I experienced significant administrative and legal issues  when in the Corps, as I ultimately received other th

[ DISCLAIMER ]   I have particular fondness for electronic dance music (EDM) which has meaning , as is the case for much of the old house music  to which I once danced my nights away. Of course, this isn’t to suggest that I don’t enjoy trance music  and other subgenres. Still, I appreciate house much more.   To provide an example of what I mean, and why house is personally preferable, consider the track “ Finally ” by house music project Kings of Tomorrow  (also known as Sand

[ DISCLAIMER ]   When earlier listening an electronic dance music (EDM) DJ set  by K_Oxana , I heard the track “ Overtones ” (2020) by Frost . The sampled vocals of the song reportedly originate from an interview concerning British rapper of Nigerian descent Sneakbo , as he states:   I’ve done a lot in my life It’s been ups and downs You know that I’ve done big shows, I’ve done small shows I’ve traveled so much And I’ve learned a lot along the way And I realized there’s more

[ DISCLAIMER ]   It isn’t necessarily easy to discuss one’s own past mistakes . Yet, here I am addressing my historic error in judgment ....