There’s a Japanese proverb that is rather famous in pop culture: “Fall down seven times, stand up eight.” This quote can be found on twitter bios, selfie captions and rib tattoos because of its inspiring message. However, I find there’s a flawed mentality about this motivational saying that is overlooked after the ‘feel good’ effect of the message wears off. I need to know then what to do after I am on my feet again, because I find that being up again is just as difficult as being pushed down.

‘Never give up’ is the theory of this verse. I am a firm believer of never letting oneself be defeated, however I feel as if this mentality gives false hope of an easy road to salvation after starting over. I feel as if more is needed to be added to this quote to explain how after every fall and recovery, there is feeling of hopelessness. I picture after the first six falls, that person is not going to feel like themselves anymore. I suppose that person is going to change in little bits after every defeat and revival.

Every living person has a sense of what it means and what it feels like to ‘fall down.’ Sometimes it’s much more brutal than the infamous proverb leads on. A person can be pushed down or plummet towards failure, but still find the strength within them to stand back up. Events that make an individual metaphorically ‘fall’ are endless: a failed class, a broken heart, not getting a job, a failed friendship, family troubles, loss in faith, and so much more. Life is unpredictable and it is unknown what may happen that will make one lose life’s equilibrium.

All I know is that after these events, these falls, there is no way that the person climbing back up to stand is going to be the same. With every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction, and sometimes the effects start to show from within. Humans themselves are constantly changing, and falling down those seven times and finding the will power to stand up eight starts to affect the internal structure of the person’s soul. A person who might have been soft may turn hard. A person who may have been strong, might turn weak. So, the ultimate question is: how does one prevent life’s harsh side effects?

The world is full of realities that bring joy and sadness. Situations that happen in life may change who one is as a person. With that being said, the ultimate question I challenge to the Japanese Proverb is ‘stand up eight times, then what?’