I always loved watching the High Wire act when I was younger, especially when done by a pair, so graceful...each one had their choreography down and together they created magic. I envied their connection...their level of trust.
I see many similarities in a D/s relationship. Both partners have their own choreography, their own role to play, but when they put it all together, it is pure magic.
On the high wire, if only one person is doing all the work, someone is going to fall. Even the most athletic performer will get tired and have to let go.
In the D/s relationship we see the same thing...the Dom who takes in abundance but only gives sparingly...the sub who follows direction but never anticipates or encourages their dom. It works for a while...but pretty soon one of them will get tired (i.e. confused, depressed, discouraged, frustrated...) and let go.
Some may say, " but that's just how our dynamic works."
To them I reply," Bullshit." That's just being selfish, and that is not what D/s is about. Yes, there is a spectrum of dynamics, but at the heart of every one of those is a desire to honor, respect, serve, and protect each other. It's about being part of a unit, a part of something special. That give and take is what makes it so special, what creates and sustains that magic. Anything else is just an illusion.
At least, that's how it looks from the High Wire.