Page 34 - January 2022 Barbecue News Magazine

Happy New Year 2022
Vic Clevenger
Chimney Cartel
victor0568@gmail.com
Sitting here, I had every intention of writing the first of a series of articles entitles, “Lessons Learned.” This first in- stallment was going to be “Lessons Learned from John Wick.” But looking around me, it just doesn’t seem to be the right time to submit that one to the editor. You see, as I sit here it’s the Christmas season. Lights flashing on houses who think they are competing against Clark Gris- wold. Stores buzzing with the Christmas holiday shopping spirit and every channel on TV has a Christmas movie play- ing. This Christmas seems to be a bit different for everyone compared to last year’s COVID ridden holiday. It’s just the season of joy, happiness and Christmas miracles.
Then there’s the time you’re reading this. Christmas cheer has given way to the New Year’s Cheer. They almost seem to go hand in hand anyway, which is why we all say, “Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!” We hit January 1st with optimism and hope. We set goals to be lighter when we step on the bathroom scales (after all the leftovers are gone of course). We have hope that our bank accounts become fuller when we look at them (despite the holiday credit cards bills). We look forward to this clean slate to set goals, have grand adventures and end this brand-new year better than when we began.
So, you can see why John Wick just wouldn’t fit as we end this season of Christmas miracles and begin a season of newness. Although the lessons may be profound, you will just have to wait until next month to be mesmerized. Hav- ing this brand-new year could possibly be one of the best of Christmas miracles to receive. This brings in newness, pu- rity, clean slate. However, you want to describe the new year, it’s a present filled with gifts waiting for you to un- wrap.
This New Year Should Be New
Ask yourself this question, “Do I want a repeat of this past year?” The answer, even if it was a great year, should be, “No.” When my oldest daughter was around 2ish she re- ceived a Barney Dinosaur for Christmas. She loved Barney
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and it was the perfect gift for her. When she opened the gift given to her from the parents of her best friend, it was also the purple pre-historic creature. She was a bit upset that she received the exact same gift. If my new year was exactly like my old year, I’d be just as upset. No matter how great this past year may have been, I would like my new year to be different and better.
This New Year is Filled with Adventures
Growing up I always loved a good adventure. Whether I was making the adventure up searching for Bigfoot or having BMX races with the other kids in the neighborhood. This has made the transition into my adulthood. This past year saw the adventure of traveling the country cooking and ex- ploring the culinary scenes in different cities. This new year will see some more of that but will also see adventures not yet realized. Maybe I will cook something I’ve never done before. Perhaps there will be new opportunities ahead. Regardless of what lies ahead, this new year will be filled with adventures as should yours.
This New Year has Goals to be Reached
I am sitting down looking at this new year and setting goals to be accomplished. Some of these will be personal (I need to lose weight) and some will be professional. This is the time for goal setting. But goals without commitment are just dreams. Every year I set the goal to lose weight and every year I do, until I have my first pizza buffet then I am done. There was no real commitment there and because of this, I’ve been about the same weight I’ve been for the past 5 years. The same needs to be professionally. To set goals one must first ask, “Am I committed to this?” If yes, then the chance of success greatly increases.
I love the new year because it gives me the sense of hope, accomplishment and ability to succeed. I hope this new year brings to you all you hope and dream.
Happy New Year!
JANUARY 2022