We Still Talk About You: Unconditionally Accepting What Is

[DISCLAIMER]

Photo credit (edited), artist: t-a-t-k-a, photo credit (edited), photo credit (edited), fair use

During my time the United States (U.S.) Marine Corps (1996-2007), I paid attention to the erosion of rights which are enumerated in the U.S. Constitution and U.S. Bill of Rights. Regarding this matter, I’m reminded of a meme, about which one source states:

We Still Talk About You is an exploitable image used in a series of memes based on a piece of art depicting a girl lying in the dirt over a cat or kitten buried deep in the ground, which many interpret as being her dead cat.

The art, titled kotik, was originally posted to Deviant Art by t-a-t-k-a in September 2009 and the text “we still talk about you” was later added, likely by TikToker @sierra81204 in August 2024.

That year, the artwork became the subject of memes as an exploitable in which the cat is replaced with something else underground. Additionally, the catchphrase “we still talk about you” was popularized on X / Twitter in posts sharing images of nostalgic things.

I don’t know if my memory of enumerated rights is valid and reliable. At one time, I believed that the Constitution and Bill of Rights wouldn’t proverbially die during my lifetime. Now, I see things differently, as I use Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) to cope with what is.

Specifically, 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.

Regarding my circle of control and USA, I recognize that the only thing over which I have control when observing the erosion of U.S. citizen rights within the past 30 years is my reaction to the undesirable situation. I don’t like or love what I’ve seen, nor must I in order to accept it.

Concerning my circle of influence and UOA, I know that although Thomas Jefferson once stated, “The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants,” it isn’t necessarily my responsibility to uphold an oath that I already fulfilled when in the Corps.

Relating to my circle of concern and ULA, I comprehend that life is impermanent and uncertain. Moreover, those people in positions of power aren’t individuals who I can control or influence. Therefore, the Constitution and Bill of Rights will apparently pass, just as I one day will.

Pertaining to the area of no concern, an imaginary realm in which the infringement of U.S. rights never occurs, I don’t waste what relatively little time I have left in this life by contemplating possibilities in an imagined life. Thus, regarding the erosion of rights, “We still talk about you.”

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

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