What is the difference between play, punishment and discipline?

One of those things that I have seen many actual definitions on these things but to me are crystal clear in my view.

Play – Things done for the pleasure of one or both people.

Punishment – Things done expressly for a reason that the slave did something their owner found punishable. Breaking a rule, failing to carry out a ritual, disobedience and attitude issues without cause are some things people can use punishment.

Discipline – Things done that are not for pleasure or punishment but done because it helps the slave or the slave needs it to be at a good submissive level.

Can these things overlap?

Absolutely they can. Certainly you can get discipline benefits from play. Many ignorant dominants confuse quality slaves as being do me subs because both sides fail to connect the need of consistent discipline in their lives. Often the only discipline is when the dominant is in the mood for fun.

You can also get discipline when punishment is happening. This though tends to be only certain types of punishment and most often impact play. Think domestic discipline when spanking is administered for punishment.

Play and punishment should not really overlap. It loses the meaning and effectiveness if a slave sees the dominant getting pleasure from punishing them and of course you are actually rewarding bad behavior if a slave feels more pleasure then anything else when punished.

But can a slave feel pleasure or get aroused when punished?

This is the dirty secret but yes we can! Do or should we feel these things more then what we are suppose to feel when punished? Of course not but it can happen but hopefully if the punishment is productive those feelings are minor feelings. Look I am a slave with a power fetish. Being punished is an exercise in power over me. Part of me is going to respond from that.

Look at it this way many of us can enjoy the feeling of a good cry even though we are feeling so crappy to be crying in the first place. We still do not go out and try to repeat what caused us to cry. That is what I would compare it to.