Walter J. Matweychuk, Ph.D. We all have, or preferably should have, a vitally absorbing long-term, creative interest. REBT philosophy teaches that vitally absorbing interests make our lives maximally pleasurable and meaningful. Such immersive interests also probably help us maintain our emotional health as well. It is usually the case that our most personally meaningful goals and plans require sustained … Read more
It is not uncommon to encounter people who are emotionally disturbed about a parent, child, or spouse’s suffering. We love our family and often experience disturbance because we hold unrealistic attitudes towards their suffering. Usually, the individual who disturbs themselves in this way will experience either other-pity, depression, anxiety, or guilt. Experiencing these feelings may … Read more
It is not uncommon for humans to experience a good deal of emotional disturbance after a romantic relationship ends. Whether we decide to end the relationship or the person we love is choosing to end the relationship, humans often suffer enormously after a romantic relationship runs its course. Friends and family may remind us that … Read more
“The future doesn’t belong to the fainthearted; it belongs to the brave.” – Ronald Reagan Life is full of awkward moments. I am referring to that exact moment when you have the chance to say or do what you want or retreat into your comfort zone. It strikes me as a common problem that many people … Read more
Do you know someone who cannot take well-meaning feedback? Perhaps a family member or a colleague cannot tolerate feedback and defensively rebuts your well-meaning feedback. Have you ever defensively responded to feedback? If you wish to understand better what leads to this self-defeating interpersonal response, then read on. Better still, read on because you want … Read more
The Stoic philosophers often recommended that we prepare in advance for adversity by rehearsing certain coping statements. REBT heavily borrows from Stoicism. Here are a few of REBT’s often repeated coping ideas to have at the ready at the tempting moment. The enticing moment is that moment when you face adversity and may begin to … Read more
It is time to double down on Unconditional Life Acceptance. REBT is a tough-minded philosophy that can help us experience Covid 19 personal growth if we discipline our minds to do so.
In the brief video, I discuss how a rational attitude regarding tolerating discomfort should preferably be linked to a statement that the activity is worth doing. In REBT we do uncomfortable tasks in the short run because they maximize pleasure in the long run in areas of life that are important to us.
“We need prudence to avoid cheating ourselves with short-lived pleasures that cost too much; wisdom to choose the simpler pleasures that cost less and last longer.” – Epicurus Albert Ellis argued that humans have the goals of being happy and surviving. He noted that many of his patients were prisoners of comfort. He pointed out that the human … Read more
Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) developed in a real-world clinical setting. Ellis based his therapy on timeless philosophical ideas. Because of its roots in philosophy, it applies to a broad range of human problems and dilemmas. The rational pursuit and use of money is the subject of this email. Due to space limitations, I will … Read more
