Consistency

The Merriam Webster Online Dictionary definition of consistency:

Definition of CONSISTENCY


1a archaic : condition of adhering together : firmness of material substance b : firmness of constitution or character : persistency

2: degree of firmness, density, viscosity, or resistance to movement or separation of constituent particles

3a : agreement or harmony of parts or features to one another or a whole : correspondence; specifically : ability to be asserted together without contradiction b : harmony of conduct or practice with profession

I am interested in definition 3 tonight.  I watch a lot of sports, if you read my blog, you will know that.  One of the descriptions that frequently describes the better athletes in sports is consistency:  consistently playing, consistently playing well.

That gives us a lesson for our lives:  If we are stellar, but unreliable, what good is that? If we are brilliant, but only sometimes, who knows when we will be brilliant or when we will stink.

The star athletes are consistent. Not the "flash in the pan" but present and performing, season after season.  That is what makes the "Hall of Famers." 

When you think about it, that is what we want in so many areas of our lives:  certainly, our elected officials:  when we elect them, we want to know what we will be getting, consistently. 

In our friends and mates: we want to know, with some consistency, who we will be with (although, I admit that some surprises in relationship might be helpful, to keep out the monotony.)   Ah, monotony can be dangerous in a relationship but volatility is even more dangerous.

We certainly want our supervisors or superiors to be consistent: calm, steady at the keel, unruffled. And no emotional outbursts, public or private. Supportive, corrective, but consistent.

When we purchase merchandise, we use brands as we expect consistency.  When we go to movies, listen to music, read, we make choices sometimes based on history and a hope for consistency: in quality, interest, freshness, topic, and a consistent ability to bring newness with the same consistent traits we like in this art form.