one world one milk

the following is taken from the soon to be published book, "The existential gourmet" available from your good friends at Saddle Sore Publishing.....

Get two slices of sourdough bread

Because we make choices based on our experiences, beliefs, and biases, those choices are unique to us — and made without an objective form of truth. There are no “universal” guidelines for most decisions, so if you want to use white or wheat, that is ok as well.

Now, put some dijon mustard on one and only one slice of bread.

Human choice is subjective, because individuals finally must make their own choices without help from such external standards as laws, ethical rules, or traditions. Because individuals make their own choices, they are free; but because they freely choose, they are completely responsible for their choices.

Excercise your freedom by choosing either some cheddar or havarti, or even a bit of both if you want. Shred the cheese and put it between the slices of bread. Feel the freedom?

Freedom, however, is accompanied by responsibility. Furthermore, since individuals are forced to choose for themselves, they have their freedom — and therefore their responsibility — thrust upon them. They are “condemned to be free.”

Freely heat up a heavy pan, cast iron if you have it.

Responsibility is the dark side of freedom. When individuals realize that they are completely responsible for their decisions, actions, and beliefs, they are overcome by anxiety. Do not let this get to you, relax, and put some olive oil in the pan. If you try to deal with the anxiety by ignoring or denying the situation, you are only decieving yourself, and you will burn the bread or make it stick to the pan.

Individuals must accept full responsibility for their behavior, no matter how difficult. Now, with the oil hot, place the sandwhich onto the pan and hold it down with a metal spatula, for about 60 to 90 seconds. You are responsible for this, but applying pressure should not be too difficult. Flip the sandwich and repeat, applying pressure to the sandwich, again, this should not be too difficult.

If an individual is to live meaningfully and authentically, he or she must become fully aware of the true character of the human situation and bravely accept it. Make sure the cheese is melted, remove from the pan, and accept that your sandwich is tasty. You have the freedom to enjoy this sandwich with any beverage you feel like, but iced tea goes with it quite well.