There was a very strict monastery that followed a vow of silence. The monks were not allowed to speak. At all. However, there was one exception to this rule. Once in ten years, the monks had permission to speak two words.
One monk, after his first ten years at the monastery, went to the head monk, who greeted him and said,
“It has been ten years. What are the two words you’d like to speak?”
And the monk replied, “bed…hard.”
The head monk responded, “I see.”
Another ten years passed.
The monk returned to the head monk’s office.
The head monk asked, “It has been ten more years. What two words would you like to speak?”
Said the monk, eagerly, “food… stinks.”
“I see,” said the head monk.
Yet another ten years went by.
The monk was back to the head monk’s office, who asked him, “After these ten years, what are your two words?”
“I… quit!” said the monk.
Said the head monk, “Well, I can see why. You do nothing but complain.”
♥
Okay, a young person close to me read this story and asked me what was wrong with whining about the tough conditions. I responded, saying that we have the choice of focusing on the positive or the negative.
While it is okay to be conscious of the negatives, whining about them all the time will come in the way of accomplishing what we set out to do. What a waste of energy! The monk spoke six words in thirty years and he did not get anywhere close to what he had gone there to accomplish. When he did have a chance to say those words, all he did was complain. He never contemplated on the reason for the silence.
Some of us go through life only focusing on the could have, should have, would have been.
What if we paid more attention to what is?
What if we appreciated the gifts we already have?
What do you think?
#WednesdayWisdom is a series with short bursts of easy-to-consume wisdom in the form of stories, quotes, anecdotes, and humor.
14 comments
I hate cribbers! Oh how I hate them! My theory is simple, if you complain about something, then do something about it or just accept it. Else, don’t complain!
Lovely words of wisdom, hottie!
Do we really follow our theories?
That’s three words. Not allowed.
Vidya Sury recently posted…Kitchen Remedies for Aches and Pain
Profound and true. Negative thoughts drag you down and honestly it is so hard to stop them.
Thinking about positive things isnt easy when things arent working out, but have seen that it is the best way to bring positivity back in life. Thanks for the reminder, Vidya ♥
Umm this is something I am struggling at the moment with someone close to me – its very tough to hear only complaints the whole day long and no positive/appreciative thought at all!
Thank you for the chuckle over wise advice. Namaste, my dear.
Poignant story! This reminds me of a book I read a few years ago — it was about not complaining…I found it: A Complaint Free World: How to Stop Complaining and Start Enjoying the Life You Always Wanted by Will Bowen. He said put a bracelet on your wrist, every time you complain switch the bracelet to the other wrist, keep going until you go 21 consecutive days without switching the bracelet. I’d forgotten the book until just now. Thanks for the reminder to think about all the awesome things about my life…like getting to K in the A to Z Challenge with you!
This was a lovely reminder. I don’t like people who whine all the time. Enjoyed reading the story 🙂
Weather….too warm….
True Vidya.. I do whine, must confess quite often. Its all a conscious effort that I must make to focus on what is… What is with and around me. The very thought actually seems to create a sort of calmness. I have to work towards to surely
Very Nice Article and useful to everyone
nice Article and helful
While readi;g this I thought, “why didn’t the monk quit sooner since he is not happy.” We have choices and if we choose to always think of the negative, then we will live that life and we will not feel enriched because we concentrated only on the negative. This monk could have looked at the positive and, if he just talked about the negative..he didn’t do anything to amend it. He could have written down his issues, he could have changed beds himself. He could have grown a garden and create food he likes.. he chose to do nothing.
That apathy is the most awful thing, Birgit. Most people do nothing but complain, never thinking even once that they have a choice. Hugs!
I admire you for catching up! I’ll be by your place soon!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Nature Deficit Disorder. Are you at risk?