Just two words

There's a Zen story called "Just Two Words" and it goes like this...

"There once was a monastery that was very strict. Following a vow of silence, no one was allowed to speak at all. But there was one exception to this rule. Every ten years, the monks were permitted to speak just two words.  After spending his first ten years at the monastery, one monk went to the head monk. “It has been ten years,” said the head monk. “What are the two words you
would like to speak?”

 “Bed… hard…” said the monk.

 “I see,” replied the head monk.

 Ten years later, the monk returned to the head monk’s office.  “It has been ten more years,” said the head monk. “What are the two words you would like to speak?”

 “Food… stinks…” said the monk.

 “I see,” replied the head monk.

 Yet another ten years passed and the monk once again met with the head monk who asked, “What are your two words now, after these ten years?”

 “I… quit!” said the monk.

 “Well, I can see why,” replied the head monk. “All you ever do is complain.”


Is the moral of the story about change or complaining? Or both???
Thirty years it took for this monk to quit something that wasn't working for him.  For thirty years,
although appearing silent to others, his mind constantly focusing on the negative aspects of his situation, of his life. We are not unlike that monk. How long have you been willing to be silent in exchange for what would make you happy? How many times have you pushed your gut intuition to the side rather than risk change?  
 
“We are not going to change the whole world, but we can change ourselves and feel free as birds. We can be serene even in the midst of calamities and, by our serenity, make others more tranquil.” ― Swami Satchidananda, The Yoga Sutras

Jane Wagner stated, “I personally believe we developed language because of our deep inner need to complain.”  Who is Jane Wagner? She's an author and Lilly Tomlin's comedic writer. 
What a horrible quote! Was that supposed to be funny? Does she really believe that? Or is she just creating an excuse for her own complaining? Do you know someone who seems to constantly complain?

I wanted to also offer up a present-day story about change. I  caught on the news a few days ago a story about an eleven year old boy who, on his own accord, walked into his local police station to donate $10.03. He was quoted on the news stating, "If every person would do that we would have such a great world- it would be awesome. " You should have seen his expression when he
said this; his eyes literally sparkled and he was so happy to be able to make a difference, to be able to make a change. Get ready for the punch line... this boy elicited change by offering up
his $10.03 in all change. 
 
“In the East they say suffering is avoidable and not necessary.  Life is bliss! You know why? This is because wisdom, yoga and meditation are
ways to avoid suffering which has not yet come.” – Sri Sri Ravi
  Shankar


And fear of what change might bring, vis complaining or silence,
is suffering over what has not yet come (and might
never!).