Talk is cheap. It is easy to parrot the philosophy of REBT. It is very easy for anyone to say the following REBT ideas:
1. I disturb myself when I face a difficult challenge.
2. I can accept myself even if I misbehave and then work real hard to curb my misbehavior.
3. It is uncomfortable to work at this personal goal but it is not unbearable. I can tolerate the discomfort and it is worth doing as either I tolerate the discomfort now or I tolerate even greater discomfort in the future.
We all can talk the rational talk which is what I call acting like a rational parrot. However, it is only when we force ourselves to act in ways that are consistent with the philosophy of REBT that we truly change our attitudes. It is when we live the rational lifestyle and display emotional responsibility by no longer blaming other people and life conditions for our emotional disturbances, unconditionally accept ourselves and others, and display high discomfort tolerance for the hard work goals require that we go from acting as a rational parrot would to a fallible human who is making real thinking-feeling-behavioral change through work, effort, blood, sweat and tears. I encourage you to challenge yourself by repeating to yourself the catchy phrase “Show me the money” and then put into action the self-helping philosophy of REBT. Actions speak louder than words.