I’ve been doing some thinking on short term wants against long term needs, and how that ti

I’ve been doing some thinking on short term wants against long term needs, and how that ties into D/s, (which is something I think it does, quite a bit, otherwise I wouldn’t be writing this post, now, would I? Pay attention now, really).

I seem to always come to a position with some kind of perspective already figured out, which then morphs and changes as I give it more of a think. The perspective I came with this time was that the submissive’s long term desires were the reason they do what they do, that it’s hedonism, but with an eye on the long game. That they want the pain and the degradation because it gives them a heavy sense of catharsis once everything is said and done. 

Which is bollocks, frankly. That’s not it at all, and while there may be an element of that within their motivations, there’s a hell of a lot that’s down to the here and now, the moment to moment of things. The masochists crave the sting of the cane, and smack of the hand. And they want it exactly when it happens, they need that exact moment of impact, when it hurts the most, before dissipating into something more dull, the edge blunting. 

The same goes for the words and mind games, the emotional cut of an insult spat into their face, or crooned, if you’re of that mindset. It might lead to satisfaction and catharsis down the road, but right now, they’re thriving off the twin emotions of pain and pleasure, enjoying the feeling of being torn down exactly as they’re being built up. A beautiful paradox. 

So, as with most things, I was glancing at it far too simply, trying to tick everything into a neat little box rather than really looking, and seeing things for what they are. Plato would be proud. Or maybe Aristotle, depends how you look at it.