The Epictetus Rap

The Epictetus Rap
(From The Epictetus Club by Jeff Traylor)

My name is Epictetus, here's what I'm puttin' down,
If you ain't got your cog[nitive] skills, you're nothin' but a clown....
You know I was a prisoner, you know I was a slave,
It took all of my mind to control how I behave.
But I used my brain to live, I used my brain to get through,
I let go of entitlement, thinking I was due
Whatever I wanted, whatever anyone had,
I learned to focus elsewhere, then I didn't feel so bad.
I took my better feelings and opened up my mind,
I saw I used closed thinking, I saw that I was blind
To all my choices, all my options, all my possibility
And I made a vow right then that I knew I could be free
In my mind and in my heart
And in my thoughts is where to start.

So let me tell you what to do if you truly want to live
A life you can be proud of, a life where you can give
Instead of taking all the time, doing booze and drugs and
Clear your head, clear your conscience,
Clear your record, clear your mind,
Ain't no satisfaction in immediate grati-faction.

Now I know you think your circumstance
Is the reason for your victimstance,
But you know it ain't like that
You can survive like a cat.
Turn it on its ear, turn it upside down,
Instead of being crushed, ask how you can turn it 'round.
Don't just do the time, don't be a stupid fool,
This here is a place where if you play it cool,
You'll be stronger in your thinking, stronger in your heart,
When you come up out of here, you'll now know where to
To live a life of purpose, to live the life you need,
To let go of your past, your demands and your greed.

Instead of robbin' in the hood, but sayin' you are good,
Get yourself on home, forget that Robin Hood syndrome.
Don't be makin' no excuses, don't be blamin' no one else,
Take responsibility and be Master of Yourself.