From the Archive: Fall down seven times, stand up eight | Nana Korobi, Ya Oki

Life doesn’t measure us by how many times we fall—it measures us by how many times we rise.

The Japanese proverb Nana korobi, ya oki means, “Fall down seven times, stand up eight.” It speaks of resilience—of never giving up hope and always striving for more.

I never truly understood its meaning until life happened to me. Back in high school, we were asked to memorize poems, prose, and proverbs, but I never took them to heart. I wasn’t insensitive, just immature. I thought being academically smart was enough to survive. But life proved me wrong. It slapped me with truths I wasn’t prepared for. I’ve learned that survival requires more than intellect—it demands a strong heart and mind. Life stretches you, reshapes you, and humbles you until you learn to live with grace.

Last year, I fell hard. My expectations were shattered when others sabotaged my attempt at growth. I made enemies, and “friends” shed their masks—revealing snake skins and striking when I was most vulnerable. They painted my character with their own projections, spreading whispers that echoed in my mind for days. Their betrayal cut deep, but I endured. I survived. I persevered even more. And this time, I wasn’t alone.

There were people who stood beside me, who helped me rise again—after every stumble, every bruise, every wound. Through them, I realized that true strength is not only found in standing alone, but in allowing yourself to be lifted by others when you cannot carry the weight yourself.

I often wonder: how many failures must we endure before we become strong? How many heartbreaks must we suffer before we finally learn our lessons? Perhaps strength is not measured by the number of scars we carry, but by the courage to keep moving forward despite them.

Life keeps surprising me. It is unpredictable, relentless, and yet—beautiful. Like a storm that strips away illusions, it leaves behind clarity. Like fire, it burns, but it also forges.

So to you, dear reader: no matter how hard the fall, may you never lose the courage to begin again. 

Rise with your scars, wear them as proof of survival, and let them remind you of your resilience.

 And I promise, I’ll do the same.

E. 









Original post:  https://the-weekendpages.blogspot.com/2022/11/fall-down-seven-times-stand-up-eight.html