On his 1997 posthumous studio album R U Still Down? (Remember Me), the late rapper 2Pac had a released song entitled “Ready 4 Whatever,” featuring rapper Big Syke. On the track, 2Pac stated, “Now tell me if you wanna live forever. Niggas dyin’, so be ready for whatever.
I understand that some people will disagree with my perspective in regard to 2Pac’s inferred question, “Do you wanna live forever?” Not concerned with the disagreement of others, I answered that question in a blogpost entitled May You Live Forever:
In the film 300 (2006), there’s a scene in which Spartan king Leonidas is betrayed by fellow Sparta-born Ephialtes of Trachis and the monarch states to the double-crosser, “May you life forever.” Expanding upon the phrase, one source states:
A good death was all these men craved. It was the destination in Elysian Fields with other warriors that drove the Spartans to do what they did. By living forever, he cursed him to never have glory, never be in the company of heroes and never be written about like the heroes of history. It was one of the heaviest insults and curses you could lay on a Spartan, whose glory and honor were everything.
When enlisting in the Marine Corps in 1996, I, too, desired a glorious death. The idea of wasting away into my 70s, 80s, or 90s – with deteriorating cognitive faculties and impoverished physiological functioning – wasn’t something that appealed to me. Still doesn’t.
I don’t want to live forever – at least not in human form. Nevertheless, therein lies a paradox. On one hand, I’m ready 4 (for) whatever – life or death. On the other hand, I own and carry firearms in preparation to defend myself against those who would do me harm.
If I’m ready for whatever, then why do I not merely accept death if an individual attempts to harm me? This is a logical and reasonable (collectively “rational”) question to a paradoxical perspective.
I suppose the answer is as simple as asserting that while I’m open to the possibility of death, I’m not fond of the notion that I shouldn’t, mustn’t, or oughtn’t to remain alive until I eventually die. Otherwise, why wouldn’t I control + alternate + delete myself in this very moment?
Summarizing what I’ve outlined here, Big Syke simply stated on “Ready 4 Whatever,” “Let me go like this, ready for whatever.” I unconditionally accept life. Thus, I accept death without unhelpful conditions. All the same, I’m not prepared to merely allow someone to harm me.
Until I go (die), I’ll continue defending myself against harm – whether perceived or actual. Thus, I’m ready for whatever. This perspective is in rational accordance with my approach to the practice of rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT).
REBT uses the ABC model to illustrate how when Activating events (“Actions”) occur and people maintain irrational Beliefs about the events, these unhelpful assumptions – and not the actual occurrences – are what cause unpleasant cognitive, emotive, bodily sensation, and behavioral Consequences.
In particular, there are four predominate irrational beliefs which people often use: demandingness, awfulizing, low frustration tolerance, and global evaluations. In REBT, the process of upsetting oneself with these unfavorable beliefs is referred to as self-disturbance.
Addressing how people upset themselves with unhelpful attitudes, the ABC model incorporates Disputation of these unproductive assumptions in order to explore Effective new beliefs. Noteworthy, Actions and Consequences aren’t Disputed, only unproductive Beliefs.
From a psychological standpoint, people disturb themselves using a Belief-Consequence (B-C) connection. Of course, this isn’t to suggest that in the context of the naturalistic or physical world there is no Action-Consequence (A-C) connection.
To provide an example highlighting the distinction between A-C and B-C connections, forgive me a personal anecdote. Following Donald Trump’s electoral victory over Kamala Harris, a friend of mine asked if I was ready for whatever would likely unfold.
I can’t predict the future. Nevertheless, I responded in a semi-joking manner, “Am I ready for no new wars, having more money in my pocket, and an end to discriminatory DEIA [diversity, equity, inclusivity, and accessibility] practices? Hell yes, I’m ready! Aren’t you?”
After laughing at my response, my friend clarified by inquiring about whether or not I’m ready for the violence I’ve predicted would occur before or during Trump’s inauguration, and if I was prepared for Trump to once again be hamstrung or opposed by other members of government.
Better understanding the question being asked of me, I used an REBT-influence ready-for-whatever response. In order for improved understanding about my reply to a friend’s question, first allow me to provide the A-C and B-C distinction through brief illustration.
As an example, if violent protestors block roadways while behaving like petulant children who despise a Trump presidency (Action), then emergency responders may not be able to help people in need (Consequence). From an A-C perspective, blocked roads prevent emergency assistance.
Alternatively, when Trump assumes the presidency (Action) and a person unhelpfully Believes, “I can’t stand Trump and he shouldn’t be in charge,” then one will likely self-upset into an angry disposition (Consequence). Thus, self-disturbance is caused by a B-C connection.
Given the A-C and B-C distinction, am I ready for whatever anticipated violence and for those within centers of power who will likely attempt to preserve their power – against the interests of the voting bloc of the United States who voted for Trump? Yes. How might this be?
The answer is relatively simple. REBT uses the technique of unconditional acceptance to relieve suffering. This is accomplished through use of unconditional self-acceptance, unconditional other-acceptance, and unconditional life-acceptance.
When using REBT in my personal and professional life, I try to help reduce self-disturbance which is caused by B-C connections, though I can’t fully resolve A-C experiences. People will behave as they do, though I don’t have to react to their actions in a similar self-upsetting manner.
Therefore, I’m ready for whatever. This includes preparedness to live or die, defend myself or observe power structures defending themselves, and everything in between. Given the framework illustrated herein, are you ready for whatever? If not, I may be able to help.
If you’re looking for a provider who works to help you understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life, 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 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 helping you to feel better, I want to help you get better!
Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW
References:
2Pac. (2018, July 30). Ready 4 Whatever [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/bCD7tvF9xlY?si=ZqDnDnltwfKcGRm4
Genius. (n.d.). Ready 4 Whatever [Image]. Retrieved from https://genius.com/2pac-ready-4-whatever-lyrics
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