I recently visited the Oaxacan coast in Mexico. The shoreline is stunning, lined with beautiful golden beaches and dramatic cliffs and rocks. This part of the world is known for great surfing because of the intensity and consistency of the ocean waves.
I spent days watching, listening, walking and boating the shoreline -- soaking in nature’s wisdom. I watched and listened for the consistent sound of the waves crashing on the shore or splashing against the rocks, every 12 seconds or so.
What I came to realize is that these beautifully-shaped rocks didn’t just magically appear. They were created that way thanks to consistency. The consistency of the waves and the water molded their unique shapes.
It dawned on me that this is the power of consistency and why we can pay attention to its strength.
These rocks wouldn’t be carved this same way if the waves crashed once a month or even once a day. They look the way they do because of consistency. Consistency creates change. Consistency creates results.
Now, some of you might read this and feel a strong reaction from the word consistency -- it might overwhelm you, bore you, light up the perfectionist inside of you or create some other reaction somewhere on the spectrum.
Take note and notice what comes up for you, without judgment.
When we are consistent with wise actions, we will experience wise results. If we are consistent with unwise or unhelpful actions, we will experience unpleasant results.
During this final month of 2021, I welcome you to reflect and explore the theme of consistency:
What type of results do you want to create in your life?
What does consistency mean to you?
Where in your life are you most consistent with wise intention and action?
Where in your life are you most consistent when it comes to unwise or unskillful intention and action?
Where in your life is calling for more consistency? Where in your life is calling for less?