I Did Some Dirty Shit That’s Way Far Out My Reach
On his album ElCamino 2 (2019), lyricist ElCamino released the track “Eat”, which was produced by Rick Hyde. Within the chorus, ElCamino states, “I did some dirty shit that’s way far out my reach.” Here, “dirty” regards impure, and “shit” relates to deeds.
When contemplating the lyricist’s healthy perspective, concerning matters of the past being “way far” out of is reach, a psychoeducational lesson on Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) now comes to mind. This is particularly meaningful to me, as I, too, have done some “dirty shit.”
Relevantly, REBT uses unconditional acceptance (UA) to relieve self-induced suffering. This is accomplished through use of unconditional self-acceptance (USA), unconditional other-acceptance (UOA), and unconditional life-acceptance (ULA).
With my approach to REBT, I incorporate author Stephen Covey’s concepts regarding the circles of control, influence, and concern, as well as an area of no concern. UA maps onto the circle of control (USA), circle of influence (UOA), and circle of concern and area of no concern (ULA).
The circle of control encompasses only oneself, the circle of influence encapsulates elements which may be subject to one’s sway, the circle of concern engrosses most matters one can imagine, and the area of no concern relates to all content which isn’t yet imagined.
Concerning my circle of control and USA, I acknowledge that I’m a fallible human being. Still, I also admit that I’m not my beliefs or my behavior. Therefore, while I’ve done some dirty shit in the past, I was never a dirty piece of shit.
Regarding my circle of influence and UOA, I further recognize that other people are also flawed beings. Thus, if or when they do some dirty shit, then they aren’t their actions any more than I. We’re just fallible humans who sometimes do dirty shit.
Relating to my circle of concern and ULA, given that the world is imperfect as a whole, it’s as ElCamino stated, “I did some dirty shit that’s way far out my reach.” Once an impure deed is done, it’s relegated to an inalterable past. Ergo, there’s no use in now clinging to the dirty shit.
As for my area of no concern, an imaginary realm in which no dirty shit ever occurs, that’s not the dimension in which I live. Consequently, I don’t waste what relatively little time I have in this life contemplating what I hypothetically would’ve done in another life. I’m not concerned.
Now, I invite you to consider this lesson on UA. Have you done dirty shit about which you’re not pleased? If so, then welcome to the club! You can unconditionally accept that you did impure deeds, and move from this point forward. Trying not to do more dirty shit is within your control!
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 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, property of D. Gomez Films, fair use
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