One Powerful Lesson Learned from a Monk’s Tale of Woe

Every 10 years, the monks in this one particular monastery are allowed to break their vow of silence and speak two words. But only two.

After the first 10 years, one of the monks was given a chance to utter his two words. He thought for a moment, then said, “Food bad.”

Then went back 10 more years of silence.

After 10 more years, he was asked to utter his two words. He thought for a moment again and this time said, “Bed hard.”

Then went back again to 10 more years of silence.

The big day came again, one decade later. He was asked again by the head monk for his two words.

The monk gave a long stare and then said, “I quit.”

“I’m not surprised,” replied the head monk. “You’ve been complaining ever since you got here.”

Putting the lesson learned from the monk into action

There is a time and a place to legitimate complaints but if complaining becomes an ingrained habit, you have a problem. My encouragement for you today is to go looking for the things in your life you’re grateful for. Go looking even if you’re in the middle of a fire storm.

Focusing on what’s left, not on what’s lost will fire up your imagination, increase your joy, and impact others in a positive way. Listen to a few more thoughts on the subject.

The squeaking wheel doesn’t always get the grease. Sometimes it gets replaced. — Author Unknown

It is the growling man who lives a dog’s life. — Coleman Cox

He who rows the boat, seldom has time to rock it. — Bill Copeland

Say and do something positive that will help the situation; it doesn’t take any brains to complain. — Robert Cook

If you have the time to whine and complain about something then you have the time to do something about it. — Anthony J. D’Angelo