How would our communication be affected if we were restricted to a word diet? Would we be more discerning? Is less really more? There's a zen story about a monastery that was very strict. Following a vow of silence, no one was allowed to speak. 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 was summoned 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's been ten more years," said the head monk. "What are the two words you would like to speak now?"

"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 ever do is complain." 

Source: Zen Stories to Tell Your Neighbors

What are your two words?

Mine are: "Laugh a lot."  

Yup, I know that's three words. I've never been good at following rules!