When I Say Honor, Respect and Integrity

We toss around a lot of words in the Leather community. Many people repeat the same words and phrases but what does that actually mean? What do honor, respect and integrity mean to me?

When I think of the words Honor, Respect and Integrity, many visions come to mind.  I envision a place where I hold myself to, not the standards set by others, but the beliefs I hold sacred within my mind, body and spirit. I show Honor by striving to live my  life gracefully and genuinely.  I show respect by striving to treat myself and others with kindness and gratitude and, by living with Integrity, I do those things because it is authentic to my true self, not because I am trying to be something I am not. To be whole and complete, to live with Honor and Integrity, I must hold myself to a standard that resonates with my authentic self. By living authentically, I show Respect to myself, my community and to those who walked this path before me. I am blessed with my brothers and sisters in leather who, by also living their lives with Integrity, support me as I support them in the journey of self discovery and awareness.

Heavy Hearted

It seems I must face some uncomfortable facts today, dear readers. More to come.

Defining Leather

I was asked recently to define how I define "Leather". This was the definition I came up with. How do you define your leather?

Leather is about freedom. Freedom to express oneself authentically and without judgment. Leather is about honor. Honoring oneself and others, keeping our history close to our hearts while we forge on and create new experiences and traditions for ourselves. Leather is about integrity. About holding on to your own beliefs and values no matter what storms you may weather. Leather is about respect. Respect for my community, myself and for the beliefs and traditions of others. Finally, Leather is about sex. Embracing one's sexuality and allowing ourselves to find the deep, raw, animal passion that we have learned to bury and deny. As a leather girl, I hold all of these things dear. I hold my community and my chosen family close, knowing that I have the freedom to be myself whatever self that may be. I hold pride in the leather I wear and in the Leather I am.

My how I have grown

I've deleted this entry as I've realized the issue was not with who I thought it was with. 

Peace darlings

Oh Has It Been That Long?

Oh, dear friends and family I have been BUSY!! I've been to a fabulous event in Florida called Beyond Leather. My classes went fantastically and I couldn't be happier. I had a fantastic scene with a rope artist I admire very much, met some new friends and have been smiling for weeks! I can't wait to tell you more.

Rope Practice

Rope practice, one of my favorite monthly events, happened today. No matter what I feel like beforehand, it always enlivens my spirit. I love the energy and sharing that happens there. Each of us has something different to offer, a different view or bit of knowledge and at practice it is offered freely and eagerly. Each one of us has a unique style and approach to bondage and when those styles are brought together, the result is a lot of laughter and some amazing experience.

Every time, rope and amazing rope artists are the band-aid for my spirit.

This Is Me

I had the opportunity to work with an amazing presenter recently. I walked in to the room, armored and full of trepidation. Like a knight wading into war, I came prepared for a religious battle and I had on every piece of armor I could muster. As the weekend continued, I was put at ease by her open and genial nature. I explored the deepest, scariest parts of myself and discovered strengths and facets I didn't even know existed. I am grateful to this woman and treasure the experience. 

I am still processing but will elaborate later. This is my journey and I accept all of the pieces of myself. The good, the bad and the unknown.