consistency

the double meaning of the word "consistency" is interesting. one meaning has a more "spatial," or rather, materialistic bent to it, while the other is only manifest in "time." on the one hand, we usually ask of a material what kind of consistency it has (of what does this consist?). sometimes the answer is a breakdown of materials, sometimes it refers more to the "viscosity" or feel of a substance (i.e., this has the "consistency" of honey).

the temporal aspect of the word refers primarily to repetition. someone is held to be "consistent" if they repeatedly engage in a given activity.

when we apply the word "consistent" to a person, then, we are referring to some kind of "material" (what are you made of?) that only manifests through repetitive engagement. you have the "consistency" of a writer if you repeatedly engage in the practice of writing... and so on...

we are not given our identities or roles, or at least, we are not given them in our entirety... what we consist of (our "viscosity," our composition) is in part determined by our consistency (our capacity and willingness to repeatedly engage).

to be, do. to do, be.

(yeah, yeah, and that old frank sinatra/philosophy joke: do be do be do...)