NuevaVida -> RE: Doms/Masters who were actually abusers (6/5/2010 9:43:08 AM)
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~ Fast Reply ~ I personally qualify a behavior as abusive if it causes harm to ones spirit. I have been in such relationships, and because I chose those relationships for myself, I hold myself accountable for remaining in them as long as I did - - for whatever my reasons. This is why I disagree with the notion of "If there's consent, it's not abusive." I consented many times to behaviors that ultimately deteriorated my overall well being. I consented because of self image problems (I didn't deserve any better) or because I thought it was the right thing to do, or because I was persuaded to consent...and a number of other reasons. When the pit in my stomach constantly hurt, when I was afraid to voice an opinion, when I constantly walked on eggshells...those were signs of inner wilting, due to mistreatment that I consented to. I could stand from mountaintops, shouting for justice and the condemnation of those who treated me poorly, but I would much rather move forward in life, focusing on the good that's ahead, using what I learned from the past to improve my future. To note, I liked Marc's description of "Destructive Negligence" as this is something I am quite familiar with. I recall a huge internal struggle with staying true to my commitment, along with believing "I'm a slave; I have to take this from him as his property" versus an inner pull for self preservation. It was a difficult place to be, so thank you, Marc, for spelling that out so well. Lastly, if I may add, it is one thing to be lied to. It is another to choose to believe those lies because of ones desire for them to be true. I've been guilty of that before, as well. As much as people do not want to admit this, we often enable the abuse we receive.
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