Taking this on a response by response basis. All this feedback is just incredible! Thank you all!

Sir Russell, my sincere appreciation to you for what you said. You allow us to see that the challenge we don't necessarily want to be but are anyway is worth the effort and energy. You said it just right with this:
a challenge is welcome, why else would we call it training. Know that we will be there on your bad days, even if you hurt us with your words and actions because we know how hard what you do for us is.
Thank you for understanding.

Quote Originally Posted by his j
My advice to anyone dealing with past events or attitudes rearing their ugly heads: take action and deal with it.
jeanne, outstanding advice. I appreciate it so much from you because of the meaning and insight you surround that advice in. You know the struggle. And there's been a shift in paradigm due to your differentiation between "give up" and "accepting". Thank you for opening my mind to the idea of what those terms can mean. And just thank you for all you said. Every word you put there is a bright light for me. ~hugs you tight~

Tom, I love how you cut straight through to the bone and expose all the rawness. I learn from you, whether it's discussing gay marriage or discussing the essentials of D/s. And I'll go ahead and say it...you're right. Fear shouldn't rule us. Without the risk, one gains nothing but regret. Thanks for being so direct about what is and isn't effective. Makes so much sense.

margaret, Red was my inspiration for the thoughts you see here. And because of you being here with us, I feel even less alone. ~hugs~

Oh firefly, you didn't ramble and you certainly didn't miss the point. Your words- "realistically submissive", "This is what you wanted. Take it.", "cling to who I am"- this and all the rest, you just knew what and how to say it so that it rang true for me. Thank you for that.

D-lish, Requiem, in my opinion, is one seriously fortunate Dom. I'm glad there's not one set of rules on just who we are and who we can become. I'm very happy for you.

Quote Originally Posted by Rhabbi
The process of training is one of learning about each other so that we know the strengths and weaknesses we have and forge us into a complete whole, stronger than the parts.
Well said, Rhabbi. Learning each other is the key.

I swear, Red, you took thoughts right out of my mind and posted them here. And yes, amazing! Hey, as long as we're struggling together, right? ~huggles~

Yep, a team. But I can't believe you said anything about those "panties" thingees. Still, under a very short skirt, if they were just the right kind, they might be kinda cute. A new experience, at least.