Authenticity: Trying to Not Bullshit Myself, and Not Bullshit Anybody Else

[DISCLAIMER]

On the collaborative album At Last (2010), by lyricist Eternia and producer MoSS, was the song “Goodbye” that featured an audio sample of the late singer and songwriter Janis Joplin. In particular, Joplin stated:

This whole thing that’s happened to me, you see, this whole success thing, it hasn’t yet really compromised the position that I took a long time ago in Texas. That was to be true to myself, to be the person that was on the inside of me, and not play games. That’s what I’m trying to do, mostly, if I… in the whole world is to not bullshit myself, and not bullshit anybody else.

The term “bullshit” is a type of informal, impolite speech that regards nonsense, especially foolish insolent talk. Specifically, it relates to talking foolishly, boastfully, or idly, and engaging in a discursive discussion. Per Joplin’s purview, she handled success with a no-bullshit attitude.

I appreciate her point of view, as this is the manner by which I approach Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) on both personal and professional levels. Thus, it’s a practice in authenticity, which the American Psychological Association thusly defines:

1. in psychotherapy and counseling, genuineness and caring demonstrated by the therapist or counselor through a down-to-earth attitude that the client senses to be a reflection of the true person and not simply of a professional acting in their professional role.

2. in existentialism, a mode of being that humans can achieve by accepting the burden of freedom, choice, and responsibility and the need to construct their own values and meanings in a meaningless universe. —authentic adj.

Now, I invite you to contemplate what authenticity means to you. Are you trying not to bullshit yourself, and not bullshit anybody else, or are you instead behaving in an inauthentic manner? Personally, given the relatively little time I have left in life, I don’t have a lot of time for bullshit.

If you’re looking for a provider who tries to work 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 hip hop-influenced REBT psychotherapist, I’m pleased to try 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 trying to help you to feel better, I want to try to help you get better!

Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW

Photo credit, fair use

References:

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