Pretty Soon, It’ll All Turn to Dust, so Get Up, and Forget the Past
In 1994, the legendary DJ and electronic dance music (EDM) producer Danny Tenaglia remixed the tribal house song “So Get Up” by Underground Sound of Lisbon, written and vocalized by Ithaka Darin Pappas. The lyrics prophetically state:
The end of the Earth is upon us
Pretty soon, it’ll all turn to dust
So get up
Forget the past
The end of the Earth is upon us
Pretty soon, it’ll all turn to dust
Go a thousand miles in a jet airplane
To a place that you never been before
Eat ice cream, or you’ll lick the floor
Because, the end of the Earth is upon us
Pretty soon, it’ll all turn to dust
Goodbye, my friends
Goodbye, world
I’ll see you in the next life
According to one source, “The past is the set of all events that occurred before a given point in time. The past is contrasted with and defined by the present and the future.” As the remix of “So Get Up” occurred in the past, I’m now listening to it in the present, contemplating the future.
A psychoeducational lesson on Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) now comes to mind, as this psychotherapeutic modality is informed by existentialism—about which one source states places “emphasis on the concrete existence of a human being ‘thrown’ into a world that is merely ‘given’ and contingent.”
Now, REBT uses unconditional acceptance (UA) to relieve self-induced suffering—especially when contemplating death. 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.
Regarding my circle of control and USA, I existentially recognize the limits of my ability to change my environment. Thus, as the concrete existence of my being has ostensibly been “thrown” into a world that is merely “given” and contingent, I focus on controlling my reactions.
Concerning my circle of influence and UOA, I existentially acknowledge the limits of the abilities regarding other fallible human beings who’ve been “thrown” into a world that is merely “given” and contingent. Perhaps I can persuade them to practice existentialism, perhaps not.
Relating to my circle of concern and ULA, I existentially admit that pretty soon, it’ll all turn to dust, so I can get up, and forget the past, and take action in the present that may or may not impact the future. Even if my efforts are in vain, they’ll eventually become the past anyway.
Pertaining to my area of no concern, on “So Get Up” Ithaka Darin Pappas stated, “Goodbye, my friends. Goodbye, world. I’ll see you in the next life.” However, I existentially reason that I have no idea as to whether or not such an event will occur, as I don’t concern myself with the matter.
Ultimately, existentially speaking, I explore purpose and meaning in the present. Besides, I didn’t die in the past, though I surely will in the future. Pretty soon, it’ll all turn to dust, so get up, and forget the past – and do whatever it is you can or will do (within reason) before you die!
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 EDM-influenced REBT psychotherapist—promoting content related to EDM, 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
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