The Three Types of Goodness (3G): Finding Balance in Today's Busy World (5G😂)

Life today moves at a fast and busy pace. Between work deadlines, family responsibilities, and the constant ping of notifications, finding balance can feel impossible. Yet ancient wisdom offers simple tools that can help us navigate modern chaos with greater ease.

During a recent talk at our local temple, I discovered three practical approaches to finding balance that have truly made a difference in my daily life, shared by our teaching monk Ajahn Nanthakhone.

Three Simple Ways to Create Balance

1. Watch Your Thoughts

Our minds are powerful. When negative thoughts take over, like comparing ourselves to others or dwelling on what we lack, we create our own suffering. Instead, try:

• Focusing on the present moment

• Appreciating what you have right now

• Letting go of constant comparisons

As Ajahn Nanthakhone explained, "Positive thinking means focusing on what brings benefit, not overthinking, and staying present."

2. Mind Your Actions

How we act creates ripples that affect both ourselves and others. Small daily choices can make a big difference:

• Taking time for activities that nourish your spirit

• Performing simple acts of kindness

• Treating others with respect

• Making self-care a priority

These don't need to be grand gestures. Even small positive actions build momentum toward a more balanced life.

3. Choose Your Words Carefully

Words have power, both those we speak to others and to ourselves. Try to:

• Offer encouragement rather than criticism

• Speak truthfully but kindly

• Avoid gossip and harmful speech

• Be mindful of your self-talk

Our internal dialogue shapes our experience more than we realize!

Riding Life's Natural Ups and Downs

Life naturally flows between opposites:

• Success and failure

• Praise and criticism

• Happiness and sadness

• Getting and losing

As Ajahn Nanthakhone beautifully put it: "Where there's sunlight, there will be shadow."

Understanding these natural pairs helps us avoid being swept away when things change. We can learn to respond with wisdom rather than react with emotion.

Simple Daily Practice

How can we apply these ideas in everyday life? Try these simple steps:

• Start your day with a moment of gratitude

• Notice when negative thoughts arise and gently redirect them

• Ask yourself before acting: "Will this create benefit or harm?"

• Speak words that heal rather than wound

• Remember that all situations, good and bad, eventually change

The most helpful image shared by Ajahn Nanthakhone was comparing balance to wearing comfortable clothes, "not too tight, not too loose." This middle way gives us freedom to move through life with greater ease.

Finding Your Center

True happiness doesn't depend on perfect circumstances but comes from developing inner strength that remains stable regardless of what's happening around us.

By watching our thoughts, minding our actions, and choosing our words carefully, we create an inner calm that helps us navigate life's inevitable ups and downs.

In our complex, fast-paced world, these simple practices offer a path to greater balance and peace, one moment at a time.

Join us for weekly talks every Sunday at Wat Pa Lao Buddhadham. All are welcome, regardless of experience level or background.

Cover Photo by Grigorii Shcheglov on Unsplash