All activities should be done with one intention. What’s that one intention? Benefitting others.

Pema Chodron reminds us that this benefit can be direct or indirect. But the overall focus is to “increase your experience of kinship with your fellow beings.” Remember them. Recognize and honor your connection with them. Name the link between your well-being and the well-being of others. And then act in such a way that benefits the well-being of everyone.

The opposite of this, of course, is being selfish or stingy. It’s when we want something for ourselves but don’t want others to have it. Or when we defend our right to have something while denying the right for others to have something. When Phadampa Sangye was asked for a complete teaching on this slogan in one sentence, he replied, “Whatever you want, others all want as much; so act accordingly!”

That can be revolutionary, if we really think about it and act on it. Of course, this is also what the Golden Rule teaches.

Traditional teachings on this slogan emphasize how we can easily slide into selfishness as the day goes on. Circumstances affect our mood, and we get defensive, and we can quickly shut down any part of us that considers the world beyond our own concerns and frustrations. Before we know it, we just become little worlds unto ourselves. We focus only on what we need and what we want and whatever has to happen to get us through it.

When we feel this kind of myopia setting in, we can reset by returning to our one intention: living compassionately in a way that benefits others. Bonus for us is that it usually helps address the stuff we’re dealing with, too. Everyone wins.

This week, notice if you feel yourself sliding into defense mode. See where you may be limiting your worldview to your own concerns. How can you return to this one intention and open your world back up?