When did being a cog in the wheel become a negative thing? The idiom alludes to being one of many and unimportant. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
There’s a mindfulness meditation that taught me to focus on appreciating every person who had a hand in making it possible for me to enjoy my morning coffee. From the farmer to the grocery clerk and all the people in between.
When you think about all the things that need to happen correctly in order for that cup of coffee to make the journey around the world, it’s pretty amazing. All the logistics, the farming, the engineering, the skill, and the motivation to do a job well.
All of those people could be cogs in the wheel, but they are all part of what makes the world go ‘round.
Each person has an important role to play. If we don’t do our work to the best of our ability, we are jeopardizing the success of the wheel. Every cog is critical.
So when one thing doesn’t work the way you wanted, such as your box doesn’t arrive on the day you expected, think about all the things that needed to go right and maybe be patient if it doesn’t.
I don’t know what the odds are of everything going right every single time . Isn’t it amazing what we humans can do when we work together.
Appreciation is a wonderful thing: It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.
Voltaire
