WE ARE ALL “COGS” IN A UNIVERSAL MACHINE
I am amazed at what is going on in the world. The hate. The killing. I thought we had evolved beyond that having experienced two world wars in the last 100 plus years and several other global conflicts. But the truth is that peace is not the normal state for mankind, unfortunately.
In my mind, we should all being good COGs. And also in my mind, COG should not stand for “Creature Of Government,” or “Chaos Over Good.” It does also stand for “Cost of Goods” or “Creepy Office Guy,” which my sister just clued me in to.
Aside from these definitions above, when you hear the word “COG,” what do you think of? What exactly is a “cog?” An on-line search for a definition reveals the following:
“NOUN: a wheel or bar with a series of projections on its edge, which transfers motion by engaging with projections on another wheel or bar.”
A cog is a gear, or a moving part of a machine or system.
The word “cog” can also be used to define a minor player in an organization.
But, my definition of COG is something much bigger and far more important.
During my first Gotta Look Up podcast, I mentioned that I believe there is more that unites us than divides us and this is where I came up my concept and definition of “COG.”
To me, “COG” stands for “Child Of God.” And when I apply that definition, no one is a “minor player.”
I use this specific definition because it unifies us at a very fundamental level.
As members of the Universe.
As members of a universal family.
As brothers and sisters as a base relationship.
We are all put on this Earth to serve a purpose. And I don’t believe it is to destroy each other.
We are all COGs in the machine of the Earth and the Universe, but we allow man-made, societal definitions, politics, and social media inputs to affect how we define ourselves and our purpose.
We allow political parties to distract us from what makes us good, productive, thoughtful, and caring COGs in this world which means that we are not uniting by what we have in common.
And these man-made distractions are delivered to us how? Through screens mostly! That is why it is important to look up from these screens and look back to family, friends, nature, and community which is part of our mission here at Gotta Look Up.
When COGs are not united and working in their purpose, this negatively affects the performance of the entire machine.
We are all COGs in the complex machine of Nature. When we are all productive COGs in Nature’s machine, the world runs smoothly. We take care of each other. We love each other. And we live in peace.
COG in my book also stands for “Citizen of Good.”
COG, in my book, can also mean “Creator of Grace.”
I am sure there are other positive descriptions that can be made by this acronym, and I’m sure if this catches on, there will be several other suggestions, both positive and negative.
So take your pick of a positive definition of COG and become one. An active one. One that starts a positive change in the world.
When we look up from our screens, look around, and look even higher, we can identify ways to become better Children of God, better Citizens of Good, and better Creators of Grace.
It is a mindset and a mission that we can take littles steps toward every minute of every day.
It starts in our own hearts and when it changes our behaviors, the rest of the world will take notice of the increased intensity of our light, and possibly change as well.
Possibly put down their man-made arms of destruction to reach out with the arms they may have been given…and embrace their fellow humans.
QUOTES:
“You are a Child of God. You are wonderfully made. Dearly loved. And precious in His sight.” (Psalm 139)
“Peace fails when we forget what we stand for.” - Ronald Reagan
“Do not be dismayed by the brokenness of the world. All things break. And all things can be mended. Not with time, as they say, but with intention. So go. Love intentionally, extravagantly, unconditionally. The broken world waits in darkness for the light that is you.” - L.R. Knost (Award Winning Author)
A REAL LIFE “COG”
To close off, let me tell you a story about a sign from the Universe that this concept of COG was something for me to pursue. Quick side note. While I was in the middle of working on Gotta Look Up and playing with the concept of “Child Of God” is when this story happened.
There is a big cat rescue operation in Southern California called “Shambala Reserve.” It was founded and still owned by the actress, Tippi Hedron. Ms. Hedron is probably best known for her role in the Alfred Hitchcock film classic, “The Birds.”
I actually had the pleasure of meeting Ms. Hedron at a fundraising dinner at the reserve and she was one of the most beautiful, nicest, and classiest women I have ever met.
Long story short, I used to sponsor a mountain lion named “Trinity.” When Trinity passed away recently, the folks at Shambala invited me to come to their next event to pick out a new cat to “adopt.” Since I supported a mountain lion previously, I wanted to sponsor another mountain lion at the reserve. They had several new cats that had come in recently as rescues from roadside zoos or some who had lost their mother and were rescued by humans, but could not be “rewilded.”
As we came to an enclosure with three mountain lions, one male and two females, I watched this one mountain lion who seemed to have the most attitude. When I asked his name, the reply was “COG.” I nodded and smiled and said, “That’s the one.” And I now sponsor COG with a monthly donation.
FYI, please keep an eye out for Gotta Look Up and COG merchandise hitting the store on the Gotta Look Up web site in the next few weeks. Go to www.gottalookup.com. Proceeds from the sale of all Gotta Look Up merchandise will be donated to charity. We are working on this right now and will present more details when ready.
It shouldn’t be too difficult to embrace this notion of COG. It starts with each of us and the determination and commitment to do what is right and good over what is expedient or selfish.
LOOK UP! LOOK AROUND! LOOK AHEAD! Be a COG now and into the future!