[DISCLAIMER] Civil Libertarianism Having been raised under the tenets of the Jehovah’s Witnesses faith, even as I now identify as religiously agnostic, I was taught to remain politically neutral. Thus, I don’t vote. Nevertheless, I currently identify with aspects of civil libertarianism, about which one source states: Civil libertarianism is a strain of political thought that supports civil liberties and rights, or which emphasizes the supremacy of individual rights and

[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, “Let each thing you would do, say or intend be like that of a dying person” (page 364). Of this quote, no

[DISCLAIMER] On his debut studio album Luv Is Rage 2 (2017), rapper Lil Uzi Vert released the song “UnFazed”, which featured vocals and production by singer-songwriter The Weeknd, as well as coproduction by DaHeala, Don Cannon, and Maaly Raw. I enjoy the theme of the track. In particular, Lil Uzi Very says to what I presume is his former intimate partners, “You were always a distraction. It was never gonna last, and they will always be the past.” Then, The Weeknd sings, “

[DISCLAIMER] “I know, I’m not supposed to use ‘could’ve, would’ve, or should’ve,” client X erroneously stated during our recent session, during which I advocated use of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). At this point in the blogpost, some definitions may be useful. The term “could’ve” is a contraction for “could have,” meaning that something was possible in the past, or someone had the ability or a chance to do something, but one did not actually do it. For instan

[DISCLAIMER] On her album It Gets Greater Later (2016), lyricist Tiff the Gift released the track “Love Rules the Streets”, featuring lyricists Awon and Dephlow, and produced by Phoniks. The first verse of the song contains the line, “The whole world doesn’t give a fuck about your problems.” For context, the phrase “give a fuck” is similar to the saying “give a damn,” as it regards a vulgar slang idiom meaning to care, show interest, or be concerned about someone or somet

[DISCLAIMER] While aware of the fact that the proverbial ride of life inevitably ends, as I’m waiting for my ride to show up (any day now!), I reflect upon the literal rides in which I’ve traveled throughout the years. For context, in urban vernacular, a ride refers to a vehicle (e.g., a 1964 Chevrolet Impala). When reminiscing in this fashion, I’m reminded of my dad’s yellow fifth generation Lincoln Continental. When I was a young boy, my dad used to take me for rides (i

[DISCLAIMER] In elementary and junior high school, my dad taught me tenets of the Jehovah’s Witnesses faith. This included lessons about Jews, or the Jewish people, an ethnoreligious group and nation, originating from the Israelites of ancient Israel and Judah who traditionally adhere to Judaism. Teaching me to love all fallible human beings, as God so loved the world (John 3:16), I wasn’t taught antisemitism (hostility to, prejudice towards, or discrimination against Jew

[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. Now, consider that on his debut commercial mixtape Misunderstood (2019), the late rapper JayDaYoungan released the song “Survive”, in which he said, “We gon’ come bust your fuckin’ brain, so, puss

[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] 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] For whatever reason, as of late, the shuffle feature that selects music for my daily self-care in the form of physical training has continually featured lyricist R.A. the Rugged Man’s third studio album All My Heroes Are Dead (2020). I’m grateful for this experience, especially the music. This morning, I heard the lyricist’s song “Life of the Party”, featuring the talented singer Eamon, and which was produced by Prince Paul. A reflective track, R.A. the Rugge

[DISCLAIMER] The Difference Between a Singular Ho and Plural Hoes In 1989, along with my dad, I attended LL Cool J’s Nitro World Tour, which featured rapper Eazy-E, rap group N.W.A, rapper Slick Rick, rap group De La Soul, and though he was scheduled to perform, rapper Too $hort was unable to appear for the Denver, Colorado concert. My uncle by marriage worked for an events ticketing agency, as he received two free tickets to the popular concert. Addressing his hesitati

[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 Seneca, who stated, “Fortune falls heavily on those for whom she’s unexpected. The one always on the lookout easily endures” (page 353). I disagree with

[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] In 2003, the group Little Brother, then comprised of lyricists Phonte and Big Pooh, and producer 9th Wonder, released their debut studio album The Listening. Although 9th Wonder departed the group in 2007, Little Brother remains one of my favorite hip hop collectives till this day. The Listening contained track “Whatever You Say” that featured samples from several other songs, as was common of 9th Wonder’s memorable mixing style. Then, in 2007, the album 9th

[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. Marcus Aurelius stated, “Meditate often on the swiftness with which all that exists and is coming into being is swept by us and carried away. For substance is like a river’s unending flow, its act

[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) 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 Stoic philosopher Epictetus, who stated, “He was sent to prison. But the observation ‘he has suffered evil,’ is an addition coming from you” (page 345). Here, Epictetus advocated