Over
the course of my time on line I have seen many people come and go from
this lifestyle. I have seen people that had to struggle for every ounce
of understanding they came by... others who it came quite naturally too.
Defining who we are and what we are can only come from deep inside ourselves.
This comes from the natural order of self-actualization. We strive for
a better understanding of that which motivates us, what we need to survive
to find contentment and peace within. What sets us aside from every other
person and makes us unique in our own way.
The focus today is on the growth of the submissive and finding a way in
this vast and not always easily understood lifestyle. I have sat a lot
lately thinking about the why's. I have thought about the lessons I have
learned along the way on my own journey. What has made me unique in my
own way. How I came to the point I am. The hard and sometimes bitter lessons
I learned along the way. The tears I have shed. The joys I have shared.
The people that have touched my life along the way and the lessons they
offered me. I have thought about what they gave me that motivated me to
wish to succeed in this lifestyle. To find my own niche so to speak.
One of the first lessons I learned was To thy own self be true. What
does that mean? When people first come into the lifestyle they aren't
sure what it is they are seeking. But usually they find someone they
admire and they want to and hope to someday be just like them. They
are confused and trying to grapple with the societal norms and mores
and values they are leaving behind. To make this lifestyle acceptable
to their own conscious. I can remember saying , I can only hope I could
become as good a submissive as so and so is someday. In the beginning
I stored away so and so's pearls of wisdom. I would refer back to them
over and over and try to figure out what she was telling me. I admired
her willingness and her ability to submit to one. The manner and grace
in which it came to her.
Now I am sure some wonder: but how did you get to that point? I had
a lot of help along the way. Many Dominants influenced my formation
through this time as well as the senior submissives I have known. The
hardest lesson I ever had to learn was to be humble. Humble in the aspect
of being able to ask for the wisdom and training I needed to become
what I am today. To say I don't know how to do this and I need help.
To define where I was and where I was going. To define what I was seeking.
The most important issue was to define who I was. Independent of any
Dominant or male. Its okay to not know in the beginning but you must
be honest with yourself and others along the journey.
The weak didn't survive in this lifestyle. It isn't for everyone. Very
few submissives actually make it in the lifestyle for very long. Many
burn out after a few months or a couple years returning to the vanilla
life. The ones that burn out are the ones that couldn't seem to follow
the rules, are looking for someone to rescue them and take them away
, or were just in it for the game. They had a mental block against learning.
They couldn't find a Dom that met all their specifications. So they
have a history of going through Doms as quickly as they changed their
underwear. So the ones that do make it, how did they do it????
The ones that make it know what they are looking for. They understand
the value of taking care of heart and home first. They understand the
value of learning. They understand the value of making themselves available
for learning from those that touch their lives. They understand that
all learning may not involve a love relationship but a mutual understanding
of honesty and respect. They have taken the time to determine what is
and is not a priority in their lives. Learning to become and draw out
the submissive part of yourself into the wide open is a very mentally
taxing journey. BECAUSE it is such a mentally taxing journey you need
to keep yourself physically healthy as well as emotionally and mentally.
The most important aspect to me always has been honesty in all my affairs.
Okay so lets break out each of the above..
The ones that make it know what they are looking for.
This submissive has set down and taken the time to look at all facets
of her personality and her life. She determines what areas need work
on. She has determined what it is she is looking for. She knows the
profile of the man she responds best too. The sort of man that turns
her juices on, so to speak. With this she has come to the understanding
that although she may desires the ever after it may not be there. She
lives for today and doesn't worry about tomorrow. In other words she
doesn't fret over what hasn't happened yet. She knows what she wishes
to seek. She may decide she wishes a period in an unattached relationship.
She may decide what she wants is to learn, as a submissive. Its doesn't
mean that it will stay that way. As she grows in her submission she
will determine she needs different things as she grows. That is the
natural order of things. She must first determine what she values the
most and work from that. She must correct the personality flaws she
knows are there with help or alone. She knows she must function from
a level of honesty, trust, respect and desire to learn an openness,
and being responsible for her own actions.
They understand the value of taking care of heart and home first.
She focuses on being healthy both mentally and physically. This means
she eats well, sleeps well, and exercises. She challenges herself. She
develops a routine. Arise at the same time. Eat healthy three times
a day. Makes sure she exercises at least three times a week. If she
is alone (single) she holds a job. She can support herself independently
of a man. She knows a Dom will be looking at those things. The giving
up of this is by choice not because she has no other option. If she
has children she knows they must come first. She has responsibility.
She embraces that responsibility and cares for those dependent on her
for their own care as a Dom would care for her. She knows a mentally
and healthy sub is very important when a Dom is looking you over.
They understand the value of learning. They understand the value of
making themselves available for learning from those that touch their
lives.
She does her research. She reads everything she can get her hands on.
She increases her knowledge base. She knows a good submissive is intellectual,
educated in affairs a Dom may wish to discuss, her manners are perfect,
she carries herself with poise and grace. Her walk is elegant. Her reputation
is beyond reproach. She functions from a very honest base. She knows
how to present herself in social affairs She knows what it means to
be the lady. When she comes across someone that could give her good
solid advice and expand her knowledge base and her growth as a submissive
she welcomes this. She is open to learning. She doesn't look at will
this last forever. but I will enjoy this communication for the time
that is lasts. I will grow from this. I used to always say I will give
anything 3-6 months. The submissive understands good things come slowly
to those that wait and have patience. PATIENCE is the key. she also
understands she need not have a physical attraction to the one she is
learning from but a connection and a desire to learn is uppermost.
I have had people that I went too with nothing more than a desire to
learn what they had to offer. They had something I wanted. Something
I wanted to learn about as a submissive. I valued the time they offered
me to teach me. The lessons were many times hard. I cried many tears
of not understanding. I hated them at times. I had temper tantrums.
I learned to open myself to what they had to teach me. I learned to
create a journal and write out what I felt. I learned to be totally
honest with my emotions to not hide what was going on inside me... to
allow a glimpse of what I was and where I was headed. I learned where
my true limits were and weren't. In the beginning I felt I had tons
of limits. I learned most of my limits came from my own fear. Fear I
couldn't do it or fear how others would look at me if I did that. Once
I gave up that fear... away went many limits. Again opening myself to
learning and growth as a submissive. I learned to love them and respect
them for what they taught me about myself. From this my submission opened
and grew. and GREW and GREW!!
They understand that all learning may not involve a love relationship
but a mutual understanding of honesty and respect.
I have met people I was involved with for understanding and learning.
They were not love matches; but we shared a mutual respect for each
other. We shared a bond of honesty, trust, commitment to the process
of learning. We knew that the time for learning would come to a end
at some point. We enjoyed each other for the time we shared. From it
gave me different aspects of the lifestyle. I learned many different
styles of domination. I learned many different styles of playing. I
learned to expand my limits. I learned what I did and did not like in
play. I learned where my psychological edges were. The one thing I found
was I came to love them... not be in love with them: a big difference.
This opens so many doors for you. You over time seek these people out
for matters that affect you. You learn to ask them for help. They guide
you and you follow that direction. However when its over... and the
learning completed they can teach you nothing more (which does happen)
she knows when to say its done completed and move on. She parts amicably.
NO regrets. NO antagonism. She moves on freely.
They have taken the time to determine what is and is not a priority
in their lives.
They understand home fires staying under control and balance is crucial
to their ability to learn. I have seen many subs who were so engrossed
in their on-line and real-time activities they have allowed their home
life to deteriorate. They haven't done laundry or dishes in weeks. They
put off paying bills. They ignore their children or spouse as the case
may be. They haven't been outside their home except for work in months.
If they don't work on-line becomes their entire focus. They sit on-line
daily for hours at a time searching for that DOM. They become high maintenance
because they have nothing else in their lives by THEIR OWN CHOICE. They
have allowed their life to become unbalanced. Their priorities are screwed
up. My children and their well-being and activities come first in my
life. Master has always respected me for that choice. I know what my
priorities are. I was never looking for someone to rescue me from my
life.
Learning to become and draw out the submissive part of yourself into
the wide open is a very mentally taxing journey. BECAUSE it is such
a mentally taxing journey you need to keep yourself physically healthy
as well as emotionally and mentally.
One of the things I was told long ago is a mentally unhealthy person
doesn't belong in this lifestyle. It took me awhile to get the true
understanding of this. If my self-esteem is trashed.... I would have
a hard time opening myself to one that is willing to teach me. it will
drain me emotionally. I have to have a confidence in what I am doing.
I have to know what I want and be willing to open myself mentally and
remain strong and sure of myself. I cannot be the submissive I wish
to be if I harbor feelings of suspiciousness or jealousy. I cannot monopolize
the time of someone without understanding they have others responsibilities.
They may and usually do have other things going on in their life. They
may be involved in work and societal responsibilities. I have to understand
that time is valuable but their keeping their life balanced is just
as important. They have to keep their life in control in order to control
mine if given the opportunity to do so.
The most important aspect to me always has been honesty in all my affairs.
This is difficult for many people coming into the lifestyle. I know
it should be easy but it always isn't. Telling little white lies will
destroy you and your reputation within the Community. Sometimes we call
this brutal honesty. I am brutal with myself many times. I will however
admit I do have periods of denial. BUT it is my attempt to always be
honest in my dealings with others. WHICH to me meant when I commit myself
to someone as a submissive I stop looking for others. I focus on Master
now and what he has to teach me about myself. Believe me anything you
do will become common knowledge eventually. You screw someone over and
others will find out about it . It's those things they remember. I highly
respect the sub or Dom that says I am involved with you but I will continue
to look for the perfect partner.
This is as I think and feel a submissive should make her/his journey.
We all have to have standards which we follow and ones we can live with.
We all wish for that perfect Dominant. However we do understand this
may be down the road. In the meantime we grasp at the opportunities
offered us. We do so in a honest and trustworthy manner. We always keep
in mind our reputation and our standing in the community. If you want
others around you to admire you and your ability as a submissive you
learn how to present yourself to others in the best form. We take care
of our priorities and others see this. As a submissive you always have
choices... we hope on your journey you make the right choices and you
always have the backing of the community in your endeavours. My goal
has always been to be the best submissive I could be. I think I am making
progress and I am always still learning. There is light at the end of
the tunnel.
For you new submissives out there reading this, I wish you the best
of luck and a happy journey. It will not be easy: growth and change
comes hard. Sometimes with many tears. But from it you will become stronger
and more sure of yourself and you will see direction and guidance as
the key to your success. Grab the brass ring and fly into a world of
learning and knowledge that is there for you.
Author: Unknown
Seekers
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