to the forums, Manarqest

First of all - thank you for sharing something so relevant to you in your first post. It really got me thinking.

As a rule of thumb, I wouldn't discourage anyone who has a history of abuse from entering into the lifestyle. We all have our own demons to face, and for some people - like yourself - it might even be the answer to your prayers.

The only thing I'd caution people about, is to use the lifestyle as the only way to cope with life. If it becomes the only way out, you're stuck IMHO. You'll always be dependant on your partner to master your own life and I think that's a sad outlook, however tempting and comforting it might feel initially.

That said, the dynamic of D/s might help to reestablish trust in people, might help you to grow as a person, and through that, might be one of the tools to start a new life. Even more so, if your partner encourages you to look for ways to get back your life and take it into your own hands. Does this sound counterintuitive? I don't think it is. Encouraging someone to become whole again, heal their wounds, seek outside help with this if needed...makes the gift of submission even greater when it's giving out of love, not out of dependency. Am I making sense? lol

Either way, it sounds like you're happy with what the two of you found and I hope you'll continue to feel this blessed with your Mistress and she with you for a loooooong time to come.

Wonderful first post...and really thought provoking. Thank you for that.

Silke