I spoke with my pet today about things that hurt. She, like all of us, have things that happen in our lives that cause pain. I listened, tried to ease her pain, to give her a safe haven, here with me, to let it flow, let it go. It made me think. Of people I know and have met, in both cyber and r/t. Of those who dabble in this life, not once knowing the harm and damage they do. Now, I know that for some, it is a physical thing, a sexual pleasure. And, to be sure, this is a large part of the life. To those who are happy with merely scening, so be it.

I enjoy it myself, within the constraints of not harming someone who may not be sure of where they are going. My concern, for those I see centers on those who play at it. Taking people's feelings, using them, casting off in search of new adventures. To them I wish I could explain. The pain, the suffering that a submissive will feel, being used. Not "used" in the physical sense. But used in that they give more. It is a Masters obligation, his duty, to make sure whomever He touches is in a place they are comfortable with.

Again, I'm sure many will disagree with this, but, so many I see don't even attempt to see the beauty, the love, the sheer joy that can come from a loving, caring, D/s relationship. For myself, while at certain times, simple physical scenes are a pleasure, the only true happiness in this life is that which comes from seeing the strength and love that pours from the heart of one who has given themselves to You. Not the body, but most importantly, the heart and soul. I pity the ones who have never, and may never experience the joy that springs forth from the simplest gesture done with the pure, true heart that beat within the core of a true slave.

I can hear the chuckles already, what emotional drivel, from one who claims the title Master. Laugh at this if you will. Those who live where I live, who have what I have, they know. They know the pride and joy of someone giving what they thought they never could, simply because they trust You. They understand that it is more than just ordering a person around. The gift that shows in a slave's eyes as they allow you to take them somewhere they believe they can't go, because in Your actions, in Your words, in Your eyes, they see that they are safe.

That you will allow no harm to come to them, physically, emotionally. That you will protect them, from others, from themselves, and even from Yourself. They know that being a Master doesn't mean not being soft, if needed. A warm safe embrace in a time of distress doesn't mean weakness. It shows love. And without such love how can You expect another to give themselves, to trust, to allow their souls to be bared...to expose themselves to their core, knowing that they are safe in doing so? I remember the first time I had to punish her.

Punishment for a mistake, not just for the sake of doing it. I saw how her heart was breaking over having failed me. It brought tears to my eyes that I must do this. But, it was my promise to teach, instruct, guide her to the place she wishes to find within herself. I didn't feel weak for having cried with her. I felt her pain, the deep hurt for having displeased me. I was crushed at her anguish, yet happy knowing that this is what she came to me for, that I was helping her. We both knew it would come, tis the nature of the life, and people in general, none are perfect.

Yet, we shared that moment, that sadness, that hurt. And, of course, each time such things are needed, we hurt together through them, for it is My failings as well as hers, My pain as well as hers, My joy at another mile on the journey, as well as hers. Does this make me weak, I know not, I know where I live, where I am. Who I am, who she is, who we are demands that I too, must allow myself to feel, to hurt, to show Myself to her, all of Me. The strength and the weaknesses, the pride and the shame, my success and my failure. She is my conscience, my haven, my friend, my lover, and yes My slave. Not in spite of all this, but because of it.

Those that concern me don't understand the basic principal behind a power exchange, though it would seem self explanatory. My slave empowers me. I take this power, given from her heart, and direct it back to her. Being taken, owned, kept, these things make her grow, make her stronger. As she grows, she trusts and allows more of herself to flow to me, making me stronger. And so the cycle continues, endless, an unbroken circle of faith, trust, love and power.

A simple verse, I think, that tells of this lifestyle and of any truly caring relationship:

"We help to make each other all that we can be
Though we can find our strength and inspiration independently.
The way we work together is what sets this love apart
So closely that we can't tell where I end and where you start"
---Lord Rom