In 1988, legendary lyricist Big Daddy Kane released his first album entitled Long Live the Kane which featured the song “Ain’t No Half-Steppin’.” The term “half-stepping” refers to undeliberate or indecisive action and lack of follow-through.
Each memorable verse of Kane’s song is reminiscent of the late-‘80s, when emcees were required to have unique lyrical abilities, express relevant content for the time, and fill their rhymes with braggadocio posturing to establish dominance among other hip hop peers.
Unlike the everyone-gets-an-award-for-participating approach of modernity, rhyme-spitters of yesteryear established and maintained hierarchal systems whereby a rapper or lyricist could be called to defend one’s title at any moment. Therefore, half-steppin’ could result in the end of one’s career. Commenting on Long Live the Kane, one source states:
In 1998, the album was selected as one of The Source’s 100 Best Rap Albums. In 1999, Ego Trip ranked it as the sixth best hip hop album released in 1988. In 1989, Spin chose it as the twentieth best album of 1988. Nas ranked the album as one of his 25 favorite albums.
It’s safe to say that Kane didn’t half-step when releasing his debut album. Given his example, I now turn to my approach to Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT).
When in graduate school for counseling (2009-2011), students were encouraged to select a single psychotherapeutic modality that we planned on practicing once fully licensed. Back then, it was frowned upon to practice therapeutic eclecticism—an approach drawing upon multiple theoretical orientations.
I chose REBT while understanding and believing in its two main techniques: the ABC model and unconditional acceptance. However, I was half-steppin’, because I didn’t routinely practice this modality.
I suppose a half step is more than not stepping at all, as I subsequently introduced the techniques of REBT to people in my personal and professional life. As well, I intermittently employed these useful tools on my own.
Then, when in grad school for social work (2012-2014), I took a class regarding cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) in which REBT was taught. Still, I continued half-steppin’ by not committing to practice of the method.
Nevertheless, I regularly shared REBT techniques with people while sporadically using these helpful tools on my own. Then, in 2021, I received official training for REBT from the Albert Ellis Institute.
At that point, I became devoted to this psychotherapeutic modality. Half-steppin’ got me only so far down the path toward my interests and goals, though not nearly far enough as commitment to the method has taken me.
Now, I consume written material regarding the method, listen to audio sources concerning its utility, watch videos on the finer points of practice, draft blogposts to share information, and help people who are willing to learn about REBT. As such, I’m full-steppin’ my way to success with my goals.
Perhaps you’ve heard of CBT or REBT, maybe even having practiced some of the techniques offered to improve your life, though you aren’t quite where you want to be on your path to wellness. Maybe you’ve done as I once did by approaching your well-being by half-steppin’.
Although I can’t accurately predict the probability of your success, I suspect that full-steppin’ may better serve your wants and needs. Would you like to know more about REBT and how not to half-step the way to your ultimate destination? I may be able to help.
If you’re looking for a provider who works to help you understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.
As the world’s foremost old school hip hop REBT psychotherapist, I’m pleased to help people with an assortment of issues 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 helping you to feel better, I want to help you get better!
Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW
References:
Big Daddy Kane – Topic. (2014, November 27). Ain’t No Half-Steppin’ [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/nqPlF5Mn32M?si=L0BtUuVjWM12kVV1
Griffith-Spencer, D. (2024, April 18). Character with no face [Image]. Playground. Retrieved from https://playground.com/post/character-with-no-face-wearing-a-hoodie-with-hands-tucked-i-clv5mhjhq01yvs601lxzjxrnm
Hollings, D. (2022, March 15). Disclaimer. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/disclaimer
Hollings, D. (2023, September 8). Fair use. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/fair-use
Hollings, D. (2023, October 12). Get better. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/get-better
Hollings, D. (2024, April 13). Goals. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/goals
Hollings, D. (n.d.). Hollings Therapy, LLC [Official website]. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/
Hollings, D. (2024, January 2). Interests and goals. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/interests-and-goals
Hollings, D. (2023, September 19). Life coaching. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/life-coaching
Hollings, D. (2023, March 20). Practice. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/practice
Hollings, D. (2023, September 15). Psychotherapeutic modalities. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/psychotherapeutic-modalities
Hollings, D. (2022, March 24). Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT). Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/rational-emotive-behavior-therapy-rebt
Hollings, D. (2022, November 9). The ABC model. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/the-abc-model
Hollings, D. (2022, July 11). Unconditional acceptance. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/unconditional-acceptance
Hollings, D. (2024, January 16). Understanding, belief, and practice. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/understanding-belief-and-practice
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Big Daddy Kane. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Daddy_Kane
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Ego Trip (magazine). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ego_trip_(magazine)
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Long Live the Kane. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_Live_the_Kane
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Nas. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nas
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Spin (magazine). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spin_(magazine)
Wikipedia. (n.d.). The Source. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Source
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