room for us all

I am a submissive woman who needs to be dominated, and for a long time, I thought I was a freak. I thought I was alone. I didn't understand what I felt or why I felt it.  I suffered in silence and built a wall around my true self, hating what I thought was the "monster" within.  It took me a long time, and it wasn't until I was well into my adulthood that I dared share my true self with another.

And do you know what I found out?

I am not a monster, not even close, and I am not a freak, and the greatest realization of all was that I am not alone. In fact there were many many people like me, that felt the way I did, that also were afraid to face and share their feelings.

Through the blessed anonymity of the Internet, I was able to reach out to other like-minded folk and connect, and have made life long friends as a result. We can express who we are in the comfort of each others virtual arms and the acceptance and validation we have experienced has made us whole. There is no need to bury that part of ourselves anymore and we are better people in our lives.

I know the Internet has proven detrimental to some, and often to those who don't know how to properly use it or respect it, and it must be respected.

Connection is a gift. I am always careful never to do anything ever that might hinder this gift for another, and I am sad when I see people use the Internet to do exactly that. To hinder or hurt those who have chosen to interact anonymously by publishing their personal information in an effort to"out" them.

I am not going to go into detail about what I had seen or lead anyone to this place, because I think it is better left alone to perhaps just go away, but I think it's important that we remember to take care of each other in this world.

Doing things to harm each other will only bring back the isolation that hurt so many for so long. There is room for us all, and all of us deserve the gift of connection and respect.