LadyNTrainer
Posts: 1584
Joined: 5/20/2009 Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Aynne88 Wow..that's nice. I can't even imagine being that way. Don't you ever even as a submissive sometimes know you are right? Then what do you do? It doesn't actually matter who's "right". What matters is fixing what's wrong in a constructive, positive way that strengthens rather than weakens the relationship. My submissive may end up being factually correct about something, and if that is so, I will acknowledge that. Both of my boys are brilliant, accomplished in their respective fields, and generally very competent adults. So naturally they'll very often be right. I am not going to discount their knowledge and experience because it comes from a submissive. That would be silly. The bottom line is that I'm the dominant and we're still going to end up doing what I decide. I will always respectfully listen to input they have, because they're very smart guys and have a lot of expertise. They provide the information; I make the judgment call based on that information. If the question is who is/was morally in the right, the automatic answer is both, neither, or it's simply irrelevant. All that matters is that we both get a chance *now* to communicate clearly and honestly about how we feel, listen to one another carefully and respectfully, and negotiate ways to do things differently in the future so that it works better for everyone. Wasting time and energy arguing about who is more "right" is counterproductive, and it's a game I refuse to play. Different people may have learned to do things different ways in the past, and attaching value judgments to those ways is not in any way helpful or constructive. Discussing your expectations, needs and desires for how to make your different ways compatible in the future is. Example #1: "I was raised in a household where we did the dishes right after dinner. That's the RIGHT way. Letting them sit in the sink overnight is WRONG, and you're a bad, sloppy, lazy person for doing it that way. I just know I'm RIGHT." Example #2: "I was raised in a household where we did the dishes right after dinner. I recognize and respect that you may prefer to do it differently, but it makes me feel bad and sloppy when dirty dishes are left in the sink, and my sense of smell is very sensitive. For my personal comfort and to make me happy, I would like the dishes done right after dinner. I value and appreciate all you do for this household, and this would add greatly to my appreciation." In example 1, these folks are going to get too caught up in arguing over who is RIGHT and calling each other names to get the dishes done, let alone strengthen their relationship. In example 2, there is no judging, no name calling, no moral one-upmanship, just a clear communication, a straightforward request, and an expression of caring and appreciation. Doesn't really matter if this is a vanilla couple, a D/s couple or just roommates. The same rule applies - if you get too caught up in who is RIGHT, you are very likely to lose sight of what actually works to resolve the conflict positively and strengthen rather than weaken the relationship.
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Your dominant Personal Trainer for fitness and body shaping in the lifestyle. Let my fetish be your motivation.
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