:: Edgeliving: Master Jim and slave marsha ::

:: Tuesday, July 08, 2003 ::

Got rules?

Slaves, by and large, love rules. For some of us, the more the better. Why is that? i think it’s because we believe rules make it easier on us. i know I think rules make being a slave easier on me.

For many people, the idea that rules might make life easier seems absurd. Those of us in the Western Hemisphere live in a society that in many ways, urges us to do what we want, to break the rules, to be independent. (We also get the mixed message that we need to conform, buckle down and follow the crowd, but that’s a topic for another day.) As a slave, however, my greatest goal is to obey my Owner – and it’s a hell of a lot easier to do that if i have rules. Nice, clear, specific rules. If i do this, i have obeyed. If i do that, i haven’t obeyed. Simple. Give me that list of “101 slave rules” and i’m good to go.

my Owner, of course, feels differently.

i think my Owner is not unusual in this. He is much more of a “high level” thinker. He would rather establish broad operating principles than specific rules. That gives Him more flexibility in ordering His life and my service. And, more importantly, He doesn’t have to remember the “101 slave rules.”

Let me give you an example of what i’m talking about. my Owner and i were traveling a couple of weeks ago. We got off of the plane and proceeded to baggage claim. As we walked along, i whipped out a cell phone and started checking messages. Just then, Master Jim looked over at me and asked, “Where is the car rental pick up area?” i was completely distracted by that cell phone (desperately hoping that some hot butch had finally decided to call and ask me out) and replied – sounding just as distracted as i felt -- “i don’t know, Sir.”

Wrong answer.

Master Jim turned to me and in His inimitable way, conveyed His displeasure at the lack of service from me. In turn, i put on my best “This-isn’t-fair-there’s-no-rule-about-this-i’m-trying-so-hard-why-are-You-so-mean-to-me” look. Later, when the crisis moment had passed, i asked Him if there was a new rule about cell phones. No turning on the cell phone without permission? No, that isn’t the rule, He says. No doing anything when we’re going to baggage claim, i ask? No, that isn’t the rule, either, He says. Well, what is it, i ask.

He says, “Always be available to me to serve.”

Always be available to Him to serve. That’s much harder than following some nice, clear cell phone rule. That means having to think, to anticipate, to evaluate, to prioritize, to assess, to plan. That means realizing at times, no matter how hard i try, i’m going to break the “rule.”

In my heart, i do understand His point. For Him, and for me, slavery really isn’t about following rules. Almost anyone can be forced to obey a set of rules, given enough time and enough force. Consensual slavery isn’t about that. The slavery that i live is about making His will, my will. And so, slavery is about something bigger – and more difficult -- than just following the rules

But some days… i sure would like those “101 slave rules.”

(And no, the butch hadn't called.)

--slave marsha

:: 2:06 PM [+] ::
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