BDSM is Love

Gratitude. I see it in Gratitude Tuesdays on blogs all over the web. I see it in cards and stories this time of year. Sadly, I rarely see it throughout the year; some reason it’s only now, when it’s “scheduled” or “planned”. I’ve been reflecting lately on what I’m grateful for and how I can express that throughout the year so that I don’t put off what is important to life for one special day.

I can make sure to say thank you whenever the occasion arises. Master is certainly trying to enforce that with me anyhow; please and thankyous are very important to my submission to him. He won’t have a unmannerly submissive and I am doing my best to make it more natural. My family was never very strong on manners and etiquette. Not surprising if you knew my family. I will endeavor to make manners important to me in the coming months so that I am showing my gratitude for even the small things.

I’d like to develop a different attitude towards all things; I’d like to stop being grumpy and worry wart when it comes to situations that are less than favorable. Perhaps if I can see the good in things that may seem bad that it won’t affect me so much. I’m thinking this would be good to implement when it comes to finances. I’m such a worry wart and we’ve made it by just fine for months now. I need to see the good things in life and not reflect on the difficult challenges.

I’d like to take my diet to the next level and be grateful for improvements and effort. I’d like to set up a rewards system for when I do well. I’ve fallen so far behind on what I was doing well like drinking all my water, eating balanced meals and stopping all food at 7:30 every night. They may seem like goals, but I can be grateful that I have the desire to loose weight and that I can do it; Master will be there and I will change. I’m grateful for the chance to change.

~~oo00oo~~

I posted a topic on my local group’s list about gratitude in this lifestyle. I asked people to share 5 things that they are grateful for in BDSM and talk a bit about why you are grateful for it. I’ve had a couple of responses so far, but I’d like to share mine here.

1. Communication. I’m grateful that this lifestyle promotes openness in relationships, community and events. Communication should be a part of everyday life, however we all know of someone that has kept secrets from their partners and friends, lived in a relationship where they were unhappy because the don’t talk about things with their partner, and lies being told all around when secrets are being kept. I’m so thankful that my relationship is full of communication and that this lifestyle promotes sharing and open discussion of anything and everything.

2. Toys. I’m thankful that the items we use during play are called toys, they bring us joy like childhood toys and they bring us pain and pleasure as adults. I’m thankful that we call what we do it in a play space. What other lifestyle promotes having fun with each other in this manner where you can be anyone, do anything and call it playing. The spirit of happiness and fun is fulfilling and wonderful for everyone.

3. Internet. I’m grateful for the internet for it brought me to the realization that what I was feeling years ago was normal and that there were kinky people all over that I could talk to and get to know. I’m thankful that there are wonderful knowledge based websites with information and viewpoints of varying degrees. I’m grateful for the chat rooms where I first began to explore and had my first collar/relationship as well as where I found Master; my love and world.

4. Acceptance. I’m very grateful that this lifestyle is accepting of all people and viewpoints. I’m happy that no matter what you look like, how kinky you are or who you are with isn’t looked upon as a reason to snub you. We welcome all to our groups and meeting places in hopes of creating unity and community.

5. Large events. I’m thankful that there are people and groups willing to organize regional/national events for BDSM folks to attend, learn and grow within themselves. While I’ve not been to an event yet; I hope to do so in the future and know that the experience there is not comparable to anything that I may learn here at home.

These are some of what I’m thankful for in this lifestyle. What are you thankful for?

–luna