Hi Nikka and everyone else.

I think your questions are ones every submissive here should be asking themselves. And I'll opne the batting with the following answers.

1. How many submissives in this forum are aware of the strenght they display by their own submissiveness?
This is something that it took me a long time to learn. But now I am aware that, over the years with my two owners I have become much stronger, and far better adjusted.

2. How do we balance our different levels of self-esteem with our need to submit?
I don't think this is a question that can not really be answered as we would be working within ever changing parameters. The 'levels' are purely subjective, open to personal interpretation and arbitary, but I can say that, as my self-esteem grew, so I found the need to submit grew stronger too. Maybe 'need' is wrong in this context; probably "the desire to submit more fully" would be a more accurate portrayal of my feelings.

3. Can our need to submit be satiated by an improvement in our self-esteem?
No. My self-esteem may have improved over the last 6 years but, as I have already said, that does not mean that my desire to submit has lessened. If anything, the reverse is true. However this "no" answer applies to me, and me only - I cannot speak for any other subbies.

Anyway Nikka, thanks for asking those questions and for your thoughtful posting. I hope some other subbies reply - even if I am shot down in flames, it wonm't worry me as my answers are how I see my own reactions and situation.

Love Jane.