What Do You See?

[DISCLAIMER]

Photo credit, fair use

On January 20, 2025, during an inauguration event held in support of President of the United States (U.S.) Donald Trump, U.S. Administrator of the Department of Government Efficiency incumbent Elon Musk behaved in a manner that has drawn significant criticism.

For context, during his speech, Musk stated of Trump’s victory during the 2024 election, “This one really mattered, and I just wanna say thank you for making it happen. Thank you!”

At that time, Musk placed his right hand to his chest and then fully extended his right arm in the air at an approximate 45-degree angle. People cheered as Musk turned his back to the main crowd, faced the people behind him, and then he repeated the physical gesture.

Musk then turned back around to the main crowd and stated, “My heart goes out to you. It is thanks to you that the future of civilization is assured.”

Regarding Musk’s gesture, one source reports, “There were angry reactions across Europe to Elon Musk’s apparent use of a salute banned for its Nazi links in Germany, where some condemned it as malicious provocation or an outreach of solidarity to far-right groups.”

I’ve observed many heated discussions about Musk’s gesture, as I did Nazi this coming, though I find it Hitlerious how self-upset people are regarding their beliefs about the gesture. After all, I practice Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) and remain unbothered by this matter.

REBT theory maintains that when an unexpected Action occurs and a person uses an irrational Belief about the situation, it’s one’s unhelpful attitude and not the undesirable circumstance that causes unpleasant cognitive, emotive, sensational, and behavioral effects as Consequences.

Rather than remaining self-disturbed, an individual is invited to try Disputation which may lead to an Effective new belief that’s used in place of an unproductive self-narrative. With the ABC model, a person learns to stop needless suffering which is caused by unhelpful assumptions.

What do you see when observing Musk’s behavior? From the perspective of an Action-Consequence connection, Musk could’ve performed a gesture symbolizing his heart being taken from his chest and cast out to the crowd. He also could’ve performed a Roman (“Nazi”) salute.

Irrespective of his behavior, from the perspective of a Belief-Consequence (B-C) connection, people disturb themselves with unfavorable attitudes regarding Musk’s gesture. It genuinely doesn’t matter what the Action is, it’s one’s own unhelpful Beliefs which cause Consequences.

Even if Musk intentionally invoked a Nazi gesture to evoke emotions of onlookers, people are personally responsible and accountable for their self-disturbed reactions to occurrences such as that regarding Musk’s behavior. Noteworthy, Musk has denied having performed a Nazi gesture.

Because I cannot possibly know the inner working of Musk’s mind, I err on the side of caution. Perhaps he merely performed an awkward gesture. Still, suppose he intentionally used a Nazi-esque salute. Would I be upset in that case? No, because I understand the B-C connection.

The same is true for whoever self-disturbs regarding the fact that I made Nazi and Adolf Hitler jokes herein. Whether it’s Musk’s awkward gesture, my crass jokes, or the fact that the U.S. has ostensibly supported neo-Nazis (i.e., Azov Brigade), the B-C connection is what causes self-disturbance.

Given this perspective, what do you see when observing Musk’s gesture? More importantly, do you self-disturb regarding this matter? If so, you don’t have to do so. I advocate use of REBT as a means of un-disturbing yourself. Of course, you’re welcome to upset yourself if you wish.

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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