Safe.... And Sane?

Since consensual is not included in the above title, assume consent has been given for the purpose of this discussion.  I hear over and over no matter where I have traveled the terms safe, sane and consensual (SSC, for future references on this page).  What is safe and sane...  I mean when I contemplate the many different areas that we touch in this lifestyle.. nothing is really safe..   and our sanity is borderline at best..  But this is okay,  it's the path we have consented to take in our life.  And while we meander down this path let us take close heed to the lessons of others who traveled before us.   Play in this lifestyle can range from the very mild to tortures not found in your worst Japanese POW Camps.  How sane is that?   Well again, the sanity comes from personal choice to venture into that extreme state of being and so we can not judge people who journey to harshly.   So when I'm asked do I play by the philosophies of SSC,  I sort of chuckle inside as I respond with a whole hearted yes!  Knowing that the danger is very real and consequences very severe should something go wrong and sometimes thinking to myself I must be crazy because I enjoy this.  But the fact remains we do enjoy what we do.  In my observations, I have noted that many who play give more care to the physical than to the mental and I believe this to be a dangerous overlook.  The mental states that we can subject ourselves to are very extreme and if not given the care needed can lead to an insanity.

So as we try to care with safe and sane approaches, I don't think people new to the lifestyle should rush in and play as if they have been doing this for the last ten years.  I also don't believe that a couple entering the scene for the first time should play with each other the first couple of go a rounds either.  Really, what is safe and sane in that.  Neither of them know shit so the end outcome can only at best result in disappointment and worst being, injury.  There are the exceptions to the rule, but generally this is true.  The insanities I have seen have almost always resulted from attempting to be something were not.  People trying to be dominants when their not,  people trying to be submissive when their not.  And trust me there is a difference between trying to be... and acting or assuming the roles.  And just for clarity sake...  I will explain so that I am not misinterpreted.  The person acting or assuming a role, generally knows that that is what they are doing they know they are not that type of person.. where as a person trying to be a particular type of person is trying to convince themselves that that is who they are and ignoring their true identity.  Insane.. yes.. common happenings.. yes..  But none the less it is all apart of whole that we deal with daily.  So to me safe and sane in the lifestyle can be equated to  holding a rattlesnake that's had it's venom sacks removed.  It's gonna bite you, it's gonna hurt.. but it won't kill you. Safe and sane... you decide for yourself.