A Mover el Culo

[DISCLAIMER]

Per one source, “The Carnival of Brazil is an annual festival held the Friday afternoon before Ash Wednesday at noon,” and, “Carnival is the most popular holiday in Brazil and has become an event of huge proportions.” I’ve been fortunate enough to attend two Brasilian Carnavals.

Earlier, when thinking about the Rio de Janeiro Carnaval and how the festival period runs from Friday (February 13, 2026) to Saturday (February 21, 2026), I skimmed through my digital photo, video, and music catalogs for fond reminders of my time spent living in Rio (1999-2000).

I then came across a digital video of me in the Sambódromo (an exhibition place for the Samba schools parades during Carnaval do Brasil, as a sambadrome generally consists of tiered spectator viewing areas surrounding a long alley for the schools to parade down).

Instantly, I was reminded of how my ill-prepared mind experienced surprise (an emotion typically resulting from the violation of an expectation or the detection of novelty in the environment). To be blunt, I was pleasantly surprised by the unexpected nudity I witnessed.

Mostly, I was brought up under conservative values which were closely associated with faiths of the Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Churches of Christ. Thus, the nudity I observed at Carnaval seemed gratuitous (not called for by the circumstances: not necessary, appropriate, or justified).

Then again, what did I know? I was from Bomb City, not the Cidade Maravilhosa (Marvelous City; Rio). As such, when I saw so much ass walking around, dancing around, shaking around, and just… around, I was surprised in a pleasant way. I’m not ashamed to admit this!

Perhaps as a surprise to virtually no one who personally knows me, it didn’t take long for me to assimilate to the culture of Brasil. Joyfully, some of my Brasilian friends deemed me an honorary carioca (a resident of the city of Rio, specifically regarding the city’s unique culture).

Earlier, when sifting through traditional and modern music with which I was acquainted when living in Rio, I came across a song that wasn’t even in Brasilian Portuguese. When in Rio, I purchased the album Leche (1999) by Argentine musical duo Illya Kuryaki and the Valderramas.

As there was somewhat of a rivalry between Argentinians and Brasilians when I lived in South America, perhaps my honorary carioca status will be revoked for speaking about my fondness for Rio while evoking the memory of an Argentine duo. (Me perdoem, Brasileiros.)

In any case, I enjoyed listening to the song “Coolo (A Mover el Culo)” by the duo. From what I comprehend, “a mover el culo” translates to “move your ass” or “get your ass moving,” which is a vulgar phrase used to tell someone to stop procrastinating, speed up, or take immediate action.

Since I’ve already broken the proverbial wall separating decency and indecency herein, I may as well continue along this asstastic path. When thinking of the Argentine duo’s track, I now contemplate my approach to daily practice of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT).

In particular, I maintain that understanding of and belief in the ABC model and unconditional acceptance isn’t enough to un-distress or un-disturb oneself. Rather, an individual recommendatorily must a mover el culo in order to become proficient with these techniques.

Well? What’re you waiting for? Move your ass!! Oh, and if you’d like more information about REBT, then I’m here to help. In the meantime, I’ll be reminiscing about the only other place that was ever genuinely home to me aside from Bomb City (i.e., Cidade Maravilhosa).

If you’re looking for a provider who tries to work to help understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life—helping you to sharpen your critical thinking skills, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.

As a psychotherapist, I’m pleased to try to help people with an assortment of issues ranging from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.

At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply trying to help you to feel better, I want to try to help you get better!

Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW

References:

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