Barbeque BS

We’ve all grown up knowing what a barbeque is. Some are as simple as a small round unit with little brickettes, and some are full blown units roasting full pigs and more. There are as many different ways to barbeque as there are opinions. But just as a certain way of deliciously grilling all of our fixins is up to each person so is their opinion. We have to a large extent that freedom in this great nation. A freedom to voice what one thinks. What a great freedom that is. Until it isn’t. You see I prefer a smoker myself other than hot burning black brickettes or propane infused flavored food but to each their own. The thing is, is that no matter what I or you use the BBQ doesn’t haven’t a say or dictate how we live our lives. But opinions try very much to do just that. Every day, every person has an opinion about something and more often than not it’s the way they think and view things. We voice opinions because maybe we want to be heard, maybe we think we are knowledgeable about a certain topic or thing, maybe we just want to share a different way of looking at things. None of those are bad vices. But where it becomes a problem is when EGO and self, become attached. I think this way so therefore that’s the way it is. Have you ever had a discussion with someone that is adamant about their view, about their “opinion”? Sometimes they get angry, sometimes they get frustrated. Hopefully one’s opinion can lead to open discussion but from my experience it mostly leads to arguments. Why is that?

The definition of opinion is, “A view or judgment formed about something not necessarily based on fact or knowledge.” Think about that. We all create our own opinions based on what we choose to believe, but opinions are not always based on fact and more often than not are based off emotion, based off upbringing, environmental topography and even mob mindset in some cases. Opinion can create open doors if the people sharing and receiving are open to dialog and not personal gotcha’s or getting one up on another. We have an insatiable desire to be right. I’m right, you’re wrong attitude. Many do this even when facts or truth is presented for cause either to validate one’s opinion or to show the fallacies of thus said opinion. It’s easy in the discussion when one agrees with another’s opinion but getting people to differ or to understand their opinion is off base is worse than pulling wisdom teeth. I have to catch my own self many times to step back and look at what is being shared, why it’s being shared, who is sharing it and what the true meaning is in the belief of the opinion. That’s why I titled this Barbeque BS. It doesn’t matter the BBQ, we are all different, we can all have our own opinion. But what matters is if that opinion is forced upon another in a myriad of ways. What matters is if that opinion has validity outside of ignorance.

What is the definition of ignorance? “Lack of knowledge, information education, or awareness. There’s been much to say about this new movement of being “WOKE”. I think it’s a good thing that people are aware, but I also think that this term is being misused. For me, a woke person may have an opinion but it’s one based off fact, truth from having true knowledge on or in their opinion. Many think and believe they do have this because as I said, EGO truly gets in the way of humility in most cases. From my experience if you live in the same household or same environment most likely the same opinion will be prevalent. But move to a different part of town, a different state and that opinion will become completely opposite in many cases. And that opposition is what can create huge problems. I don’t care what kind of BBQ you choose to use, that’s your free choice. And you have the freedom to share with me why you believe your BBQ or your way of barbequing is the best, but I don’t have to believe it, and that’s my choice. But if I disagree with you and give evidence as to why I disagree, and it’s based out of my own emotion or uneducated BS, for example, black BBQ’s are the best, then I’m the BS’er. If my opinion is based out of fact, for example, I do not like propane infused meat, then maybe, just maybe my opinion is valid. And herein lies much of the problem. Many people don’t think beyond themselves, and many don’t listen. We are a selfish species and have shown this throughout time and history. It takes a big soul to know the how, when, where and what of Barbeque BS and then to cook accordingly. Happy barbequing. See ya at the party.