i've always liked physics. but i was never really good at physics. i still consider it a miracle that i passed my physics 51 and 52 during my pre-med days. but if there was one thing that stuck it was how physics worked in tug of war. simply put, the force you exert on the ground will equal to the force you exert on the rope. so you have to push on the ground to be able to pull the rope harder.

being in a relationship is like being in a game of tug of war. constantly pulling and holding on, we have the fear of falling on the ground all bruised and dirty. the humiliation of losing. the elation of being able to stand your ground without letting the other fall. these are all motivating factors that make us hold that rope in the first place.

the rough rope cuts through the skin of your palms but you still stand there, with everything you've got. you try everything to keep that balance. you get pulled forward and with all your might, you pull back and tug your partner towards you. the entire game is all about pushing, pulling, enduring and balancing.

the game can end several ways. someone can let go and send the other tumbling down, someone call pull too hard and the other side will have no choice but to give way and fall. also, although a not so common scenario, the rope itself can break and send both of you tumbling to the ground. either way, someone will get hurt.

tug of war teaches us several things about relationships:

1. pulling too hard will give the other a reason to let go

2. letting go unexpectedly will send the other crashing to the ground

3. both of you can end up bruised

4. everything is about balance

5. pushing too hard on something else will make you pull your partner harder

6. it can end because of external (other) factors 

7. when it hurts, you may be doing it wrong

8. when it hurts, it can also mean that you're doing it right

9. winning doesn't always mean getting out unscathed

10. falling doesn't always mean that you've lost