Perceptions of Reality

by kaylee{G}

There’s a tendency, kaylee’s noticed, for some slaves to aggressively put down others by inferring that they are living a fantasy or not being realistic, particularly if slave A is serving in ways that the other slave does not feel comfortable with. Yet, kaylee does not think that is necessarily the case. What may be one’s perception of reality may not be the same for everyone else.

NOTE: The following example is one that is seen often enough on discussion boards: the ability to walk away if denied release. It is not an issue she feels particularly strongly about one way or the other, but it fits the examples here well for illustration purposes.

If one does not view just walking out when one is denied release as a viable option for them - that is the perspective that they are working from. It doesn’t make it fantasy for that person - it merely indicates the type of dynamic they are currently living in and possibly gives other people an idea of the beliefs that person holds. Others may find their reality includes such provisions to walk away - and that is a real option for them. For some people, the context of the example would make the difference in how they would behave.

kaylee could understand if someone says, “This would not work for me, because I believe this.....” But in discussions such as these, she’s always disheartened to see Gorean slaves who say things such as “Here in the REAL world... ” or pointedly saying, “Anyone who believes that must have no self esteem...” To insinuate that one is more realistic than others, to kaylee, shows an unwillingness to consider that there are other ways to have a dynamic other than what one is comfortable or familiar with. And the idea that someone has surrendered more than what another feels comfortable with, can be threatening to some people.

kaylee doesn’t believe someone who does not see walking out if release is denied as a viable option is automatically an indicator of self esteem or lack of reality. It could indicate their belief system, or their idea of commitment, their ideas of how an owner/property dynamic is, or a number of other things. Likewise, kaylee doesn’t see that someone who feels they should leave at a certain point is any less “real” - it just means they have a different viewpoint and are (hopefully) in a dynamic - Gorean or otherwise - that supports that viewpoint. Either way, there are consequences to our decisions.

In kaylee’s situation, she knows what her viable options are (and what they are not). She knows what kind of dynamic she sought to be in, and how many freedoms she would surrender as property. While the options she considers to be the only viable ones are not the same as everyone’s, she is content to know it is a happy and healthy place for her to be in - and one that she is realistically living each and every day and has been for years.

kaylee also knows that she would probably not be happy in a different dynamic - and while those are interesting to read and see how others live, she will probably never pursue one of those dynamics. It doesn’t make the other dynamics less real - it just makes it perfect for others but not for her.

There are times when kaylee reads someone’s account of their life, and she does not see how she would be able to realistically live that way. kaylee knows she questioned her ability to live as property in the beginning, because there were aspects she just could not imagine. And yet, here she is. Some of the things she could not imagine before, she has experienced. Others, she may never experience and cannot envision those things being a part of her life.

But just because she cannot fathom living that way does not mean that it cannot be a realistic life for someone else.

It just means the perspective of her life is different.

Until next month, she wishes you well.
-kaylee{G}