Consistancy

“Adventures are all very well in their place, but there's a lot to be said for regular meals and freedom from pain.” Neil Gaiman (Stardust)

Consistancy is one of those things that people generally don’t praise. No one really rewards people for showing up for work everyday or smiling every morning. Maybe a big part of consistency is having it expected from people. Assuming that people are going to show up somewhere or do a specific action is something that falls into the category of social norms. People end up wanting to be consistent so they can “fit in.” Though in the end, consistency is only rarely appreciated when it happens over a long period of time, and even then, one can only wonder if all that time and work can really be rewarded.

For me, consistency is one of those things I always find myself appreciating more than most people. I don’t buy music singles anymore and always try to buy full albums, I like longer books and more involved movies, and generally like longer entertainment in general. I like something I can sit down every night for an hour and reap enjoyment from. I also find myself much more sympathetic for people who have worked everyday of their lives and trying to get by, than people who tried to hit the jackpot once and failed. Maybe it is that Illinois suburb Midwestern boy in me, but I rather learn how to fish than only being able to eat the best fish in the world only once.

The more I think about it, the more I realise how much this love of consistency has sort of permeated my tastes. Things like reality television and pop music, which rely often on moving from fad to fad and emphasizing being new over quality, don’t usually appeal to me. Though I do admit, this is making me sound like some old fogey that loves Family Circus just because it’s in the newspaper everyday (fyi: Family Circus the longest running, most not funny comic strip as far as I can tell, seriously, I don’t think that comic strip has even made me smile once). I love weird things that challenge my tastes, but it is the act of going into those challenging things and trying to really appreciate what they are trying to express that I derive enjoyment from. I am not really a guy that is about consuming something just to be weirded out and then never try it again.

So I would implore everyone out there to look at the consistent good things in your life, like a good radio show, book series, video game, or whatever and appreciate what they bring into your life. Is it a source of comfort to you? Is it something that brings something new and interesting to your door step every so often? Or perhaps an American Life podcast where I lifted that quote at the beginning? Well, then maybe you should show your appreciation somehow. Even if it is just reading a blog from a guy you know that he posts on every week.