Chewing on the Concept of Vested Interest

I've been parsing the concept of vested interest. The definition of parse that I'm using means "to examine in a minute way." In other words, to parse something is to analyze it critically. I wanted to understand how the concept of vested interest has been working or not working in my life and in the life of others.

Merriam-Webster's online dictionary defines vested interest as "a special concern or stake in maintaining or influencing a condition, arrangement, or action especially for selfish ends." We all have a stake in maintaining or influencing something in our lives. One area of critical concern is our relationships.

Most relationships begin with a friendship that is built on a foundation of trust. During a friendship we make an emotional investment in the other person. Making that investment means getting out of oneself long enough to know, experience, and value the other person. The same concept works in business, in work, in marriage, and in parenting. In my own life, I believe that I have a stake in maintaining those relationships in which I've made an emotional investment.

So what do I do? I invest my time and energy in getting to know what's important to the other person. Because I want the best for others, I do whatever I can to bring that about. My friends and acquaintances often let me know that they feel understood and valued as a result of our connection. One of my strengths is my ability to look out for the other person's interest as well as my own.

There are boundaries though. The first law of success is personal responsibility. It says that every individual is responsible to and for themselves. Each of us is responsible for whatever we say and do. We are responsible for goes in and out of our mouths. We are responsible for the ideas and concepts that we accept from others. Even though I want the best for others, getting involved in relationships where an individual has not made the decision to depend on him or herself for his or her economic security is a waste of time.

Well, help me chew on this concept. Let's continue to break it into its component parts. It can be digested and assimilated easier this way.