fiogf49gjkf0d
Namaskaar
What is consistency ? We know it, we realise it, we practise
it. As a matter of fact — we accountants practise it with a fetish. For
example :
- in accounting policies to make financial statements true and fair.
- in disclosure practices to make financial statements easily understandable and
comparable.
- in the quality of food we eat. Restaurants which are consistent with the
quality of food are patronised and successful.
- to improve the quality of service we render.
- in the improvement of the quality of services we receive.
- in satisfaction and happiness.
- to improve ourselves because without this continuous and consistent
improvement we will either stagnate or more often than not deteriorate.
Law affirms ‘consistency’ despite ‘estoppel’. There are
innumerable court decisions affirming consistency.
Consistency in action and behaviour is thus what we
continuously practise. Sadguru Jaggi says we are a ‘joy factory’ and we must
continuously and with consistent practice improve the quality and quantity of
joy.
It has been rightly said that ‘consistency’ (repetition) in
action leads to ‘habit’ and habit builds character and character in human beings
is what we not only seek in our lives but also seek in others. Character is what
makes a man and a nation. Character is what Ram sought to build in people by
being an example — that is why he is named ‘Maryada Purushottam’. Character is
what Bhishmapitamaha advised Yudhishthir when he sought his advise on ‘how to be
a good ruler’. Character is what Gandhi sought to build in us Indians by
practising what he preached. I repeat, character is the product of
‘consistency’.
Above all, we seek success and it can be achieved by creating
a congenial and rewarding work environment. Hence, let us continuously and
consistently practise the concept ‘bloom wherever we are planted’.
Another ‘C’ we should consistently practise to make our lives
rewarding is ‘Compassion’. Let us never forget that there is a difference
between charity and compassion. ‘Compassion’ is an emotion — emotion of taking
care — care from the heart and without even seeking any form of acknowledgement.
The practice of this ‘C’ enriches our lives.
Though not relevant to the subject of this ‘C’ — I would like
to share a thought with you on the two ‘C’s one should always shun and
these are: ‘conceit’ and ‘cunning’. They are twin sisters and have
a disastrous influence on our lives. Let us not forget that wars have been
fought due to conceit — whether it is the Ram-Ravan fight, or The Mahabharat or
world wars. Families and business houses have been destroyed because of the
conceited and/or cunning behaviour of one individual. These are emotions from
which all of us suffer and the fullness of life is marred by them. So let us
with conviction and consistency shun them to make our life happy.
We have talked about four ‘C’s earlier — that is —
commitment, conviction, comparison and conditioning. I intend to close this ‘C’
series with ‘consistency’. I also believe that adopting any one of these five
‘C’s will automatically lead to the adoption of the other four ‘C’s. So let us
adopt and practise these ‘C’s to make our lives rewarding, successful and above
all, contended and happy.
