Consistency.
It’s an attribute that I treasure more than just about any other.
Being consistent means being reliable. And, when it’s done right, it means being trustworthy.
Basically, it means being exactly what others think you are.
I see great value in this predictability. It provides for deep understanding and meaningful social connections.
And it keeps us at ease.
For, while we say Variety is the spice of life, constant spontaneity is stressful. When we don’t know what to expect from our family and friends from minute to minute, we tend to put up barriers. We become a skeptical observer of the world around us, instead of a participant in it.
Even the biggest hermits among us don’t want this. For if we can’t count on anything, if we can’t even rely on a roof over our head or clothes on our backs, the load can be too much for our mind to carry.
Make no mistake, consistency is a basic condition.
Yet, it’s an incredibly difficult one to pull off.
You see, keeping it consistent means producing the same output, time after time. No off days. No slip-ups. Consistency doesn’t allow for excuses, regardless of their validity.
But to err is human. Our actions and emotions can vary by nature. And this can make consistency seem like an impossible dream.
So, what can we do in the face of this conundrum? We can continue to work at it.
Take Words of the West as an example. Two years ago, I launched this website with four words, I am not perfect. I wasn’t perfect then, and I’m certainly not perfect now.
But I’ll be darned if I haven’t been consistent. I’ve put out an article every week since then.
This is not as easy as it seems. There are some weeks where the inspiration is lacking. And others where life simply gets in the way.
Yet, I continue to fight through these obstacles to put out fresh articles each week. I demand this of myself because my readers expect it from me.
And I can’t bear to break their trust by becoming unreliable.
We can all benefit by taking a similar approach.
By keeping it consistent, we can build connections. We can demonstrate our own reliability. And we can live more fulfilling lives.
This isn’t easy, by any means. It requires grit, determination and sacrifice.
But it’s certainly worth it.