Fall down seven times, get up eight.

This is a post dedicated to my sister, Jane , who celebrates a key birthday today and is one of the most resilient, persistent dogged people I know.  She is the personification of mental toughness.

This post describes the  Japanese proverb "Nana korobi ya oki" which translated means ‘Fall down seven times, get up eight’. 

The proverb speaks to the Japanese concept of resilience and the ‘insistence’ that no matter how many times you get knocked down, you must get up again. Even if you should fall one thousand times, you must keep getting up and trying again. 

The proverb suggests “there are no quick fixes in life and anything of real worth will necessarily take much struggle and perseverance. Success does not have to be fast—what’s more important is that one simply does their absolute best and remains persistent”

Closely related to this proverb is another concept that reinforces how to remain resilient. The concept of ‘gambaru’ is deeply rooted in the Japanese culture and approach to life and means ‘Never Give Up’ 

‘Gambaru’ expresses the idea of sticking with a task with tenacity until it is completed—of making a persistent effort until success is achieved. It is used often in daily language to encourage others to “do your best” in work, to “fight on!” and “never give up!” during a sporting event or studying for an exam. You do not always have to win, but you must never give up. 

“Fall down seven times, get up eight” and “Never Give Up” are really useful mantras for everyone to use when faced with everyday challenges and setbacks. 

Here’s to you Jane. Happy Birthday and Nana korobi ya oki

Access here the online article where I read about the proverbs;

https://www.presentationzen.com/presentationzen/2011/03/fall-down-seven-times-get-up-eight-the-power-of-japanese-resilience.html

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