It takes a disciplined spirit to endure the monastery on
Mount Serat in Spain. One of the fundamental requirements
of this religious order is that the young men must maintain
silence. Opportunities to speak are scheduled once every
two years, at which time they are allowed to speak only
two words.
One young initiate in this religious order, who had completed
his first two years of training, was invited by his superior
to make his first two-word presentation. "Food terrible,"
he said. Two years later the invitation was once again extended.
The young man used this forum to exclaim, "Bed lumpy."
Arriving at his superior's office two years later he proclaimed,
"I quit." The superior looked at this young monk
and said, "You know, it doesn't surprise me a bit.
All you've done since you arrived is complain, complain,
complain.
Exaggerated? Maybe. What if you were asked to share two
words that describe your Life? would your focus be the lumps,
bumps, and unfairness, or are you committed to dwell on
those things that are good, right, and lovely?
