Think on these stories…

Don’t be like the man who joined a monastery in which the monks were allowed to speak only two words every seven years.

After the first seven years had passed, the new initiate met with the abbot, who asked him, “Well, what are your two words?”

“Food’s bad,” replied the man, who then went back to his silence.

Seven years later the abbot asked, “What are your two words now?”

“Bed’s hard,” the man responded.

Seven years later, twenty-one years after his initial entry into the monastery, the man met with the abbot for the third and final time. “And what are your two words this time?” the abbot asked.

“I quit.”

“Well, I’m not surprised,” the cleric answered disgustedly. “All you’ve done since you got here is complain!”

 

We don’t want to be like that man;  known as a person whose only words are negative. If we are a member of the “negative grapevine,” we can resign.

 

After all, our words create our worlds. 

And our thoughts create our words.

So we should be careful of the thoughts we choose!

 

Now, check out the idea that Anthony de Mello shares in this story in his book, “The Heart of the Enlightened.”

“Traveler: What kind of weather are we going to have today?

Shepherd: The kind of weather I like.

Traveler: How do you know it will be the kind of weather you like?

Shepherd: Having found out, sir, I cannot always get what I like, I have learned always to like what I get. So I am quite sure we will have the kind of weather I like.”

 

We decide who we will become

• by the thoughts we think,
• by the words we choose,
• by the actions we take.

This truth amazes me (and often dumbfounds me!) But it also nudges me into becoming more aware and choosing more thoughtfully!

How about you?

Do you know any “two word monks” in your life experience?

Or perhaps do you have an abundance of “shepherds” in your life?

And which do you think YOU are?