Whether you are having sex with a partner, or just having
sex with yourself, it is a natural part of life. But even though sex is a
natural part of life there are many ways to do it, enjoy it and experience it.
So let’s be clear about one thing: there is no such thing as “normal sex”. When it comes to good ole sex, everybody has
his/her own definition of “normal “. Even though variability and variety are good things, too much difference in
sexual beliefs, practices and/or needs can affect relationships. So much so
that sex continues to be one of the primary reasons why couples consider
counseling.
So what are the main complaints/issues? I am happy that you asked.
Couples complain about the lack of sex, the frequency of sex, the lack of
variety of sex, the lack of pleasure of sex, the timing of sex, the function of
sex, the importance of sex, the need for sex, changes in sex, toys used while
having sex, the physical positions involved in sex, the balance of power in
sex, what to do during sex, what is considered taboo in sex and the lists goes
on.
The reality is that sex is one topic that every couple will
address at some point during their relationship. The failure to effectively
address the issue of sex and/or sexual performance can and will affect the
overall health of your union.
Although sex may not be the easiest subject to discuss, it
is a topic that must be addressed with honesty, vulnerability, compassion and
courage. In other words, sex is not a
topic for wimps. So let’s have a grown up women’s discussion about sex.
First, despite your sexual prowess and your sexual experience, you
are STILL a sexual student. Why? Because
every new sexual partner requires that you learn new sexual skills, movements,
tips, tricks and meanings because no two women are the same. No two women reach
climax the same, no two women experience sex the same, no two women’s bodies
are the same, no two women’s sexual appetite is the same, and no two women’s
needs are the same. Women are wonderfully different; and that’s a plus. If you
are honest with yourself, you will admit that you are not always the same
sexually either. Your body craves different things, different ways, at
different times and for different reasons. And because we all change and our
needs change, we are all students, sexual students.
The concept of being a sexual student is difficult for some couples to grasp and accept. Many times during couples counseling one partner will say “I am a good lover. All of the women that I
have been with said that I was an attentive lover”. And I gently respond by
saying, “I understand that other women have said that, but we are not talking
about what other women think, we are talking about this woman, your partner
and/or your wife”.
My comment may seem insensitive, but it isn’t. Why? If you really love a woman or if you
really want to make love to a woman in a way that satisfies her, you must be
open to learning what makes her sexually happy and what makes her tick. Yes,
technically you already know how to lick, rub, touch, twist, kiss, knead, suck,
pull and push body parts. That’s the easy part. But what you must learn is how
to do those things or what combinations/sequences of those things bring
pleasure to your current partner.
If you really want to be a good lover, you have to be a sexual student.
You have to be open to discovery, exploration, experimentation and
demonstration. You have to be open to learning and unlearning at the same time.
If not, you will do things sexually that you are good at, but not those things
that please her.
Secondly, having great sex requires that you set aside judgment.
Unfortunately, many partners use their own sexual history and their sexual
appetites as benchmarks to determine and define “good” sex and the parameters
of sex. But let’s consider this: if you enjoy something and you share that
information with your partner, and your partner classifies you as “too freaky”,
“too nasty”, or “too anything”, that’s a problem. Remember that the moment judgment
enters the bedroom, trust and vulnerability go out the window.
Let’s be clear -I am not advocating that you do something sexually
that does not work for you. Absolutely Not! I am advocating that you have an
open, honest and label free conversation that allows both of you to freely share
your sexual desires and needs. Maybe during that conversation you both discover
that your sexual needs are too divergent. Or, maybe you discover that your sexual
experiences have never exposed you to additional ways to receive or give
pleasure.
Whatever the case, it is
important to have the sex conversation, and if possible, have the conversation
before you have sex. If you have already
had sex, I recommend having another dialogue and, if possible, have it
outside of the bedroom and in an environment of trust. Sex conversations should
be ongoing and as Imani Evans likes to say, continue to “talk and touch” and
“touch and talk”.
Thirdly, good sex is inextricably linked to emotional health. If you have low self-esteem, poor body image, feel unworthy, racked with shame, don’t
feel safe, struggle with demons from your past, lack confidence or
suffer from anything else that affects your spirit, your sex life will suffer. Why?
Because anything that affects you outside of the bedroom, will somehow creep into
the bedroom. Believe or not, good sex doesn’t
just happen between your legs (body). Good sex also happens between your ears
(mind) and behind your ribs (heart). And, if one of those 3 is not healthy,
your ability and/or desire to have sex may be affected.
So if that is the case, what should you do? I am glad that you
asked. 1) Be honest with yourself and your partner. Your partner can only be an
ally and an advocate if you share. 2) Seek a counselor to travel with you on
your healing journey. And, know that
finding the right counselor/therapist/life coach may take time. You and your
counselor must click, and only you can define what “click” means to you. 3) Commit
to your own health. Make your physical, spiritual and emotional health top
priorities in your life.
Lastly, never make orgasms your ultimate goal. Yes, I know that
orgasms are wonderful things to have. They relax you, soothe you, and act as nature’s sleeping aid. However, an orgasm should never be what defines good sex. In
fact, sex should never be a goal-oriented activity because it brings undue
pressure in the bedroom. Just think about it. If you are trying to time your
climax, coordinate your climax, delay your climax, determine if your partner is
faking a climax or judge if your partner has had a climax, how can you really
enjoy sex? How can you really let yourself go if you are judging, monitoring
and assessing sexual performance? How can you free your mind enough so that
your body can speak and think for you?
Remember, sex is about the journey, not the destination. And the
journey may or may not involve a physical orgasm. So try to shift the focus
from orgasm to the overall act of intimacy. Try to be present emotionally,
spiritually and physically with your partner in a way that allows your souls to
connect. Try to celebrate her body and allow her to celebrate yours. If you have an orgasm, consider it a wonderful bonus/blessing of a great sexual
encounter and/or experience.
As I stated before, sex is not a subject for wimps. It is topic
that demands a willingness to be physically, emotionally and spiritually
vulnerable and engaged. It is a subject that requires you to unload your
emotional baggage and challenge your spiritual assumptions. It is a topic that requires
you to learn your body and honor your own spirit. It is a subject that demands
that you fully show up as a woman, a powerful woman.
As Imani stated in one of her articles, sex softens you. It helps you connect and communicate with
your partner in ways that words cannot convey. Safe sex is a gift. So enjoy it,
relish it, appreciate it and honor it. You deserve it and your partner does too.
I look forward to exploring the connection of sexuality and
spirituality in the coming months. So stay tuned. Blessings as you continue to CREATE
Love!
SharRon Jamison
Author, I Can Depend on Me
.
Very Nice post,
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