Jonathan Fields writes today about a spiritual conversation around the comment “It is said that if our intention is to help others…we will never have any regret. Regret is a result of trying to make ‘me’ happy.”

Another great spiritual leader said there was more happiness in giving than in receiving; that a life of service was the path to contentment.

Years ago, I started using this as a touchstone for my online comments. “Is this about me, or is this about the conversation and the other readers?” Helped me decide between worthwhile comments and just adding to the noise.

It works in life as well. I’ve lived part of my life in unhealthy giving to meet others’ demands (which is really about me, not them) and a bit of it in selfishness, but for over a decade my life has been about the question “How can I serve?”

And, as every great spiritual mind ever has told us will happen, I’ve been more content and had more peace.