Fall Down Seven Times, Get Up Eight

Successful people don’t always win. They face setbacks just like everyone else. The key to success is not to give up. Life isn’t always friendly to us. We all face adversity. The measure of character is how we deal with trials and tribulations. It takes persistence and determination to follow your dreams. It’s easy to give up and take the easy way out. If you set the bar low enough, you will never be disappointed. But if you shoot for the moon you might hit a star and that ain’t bad.

We can all be emotionally and mentally strong. Inner strength takes resolve. It’s a matter of being grounded and figuring out what really matters in your life. Some things are worth pursuing and some things aren’t. You might want to chase dollar signs but there's no guarantee that will make you happy. The things that make you happy don’t have a price tag. That’s what makes life precious.

Every day is an opportunity to be a better person and to make a difference in other people’s lives. Zach Braff said something in the movie The Last Kiss that stuck with me – “You can’t fail if you don’t give up.” This might sound like sentimental wishful dribble but it’s true to a point. If you don’t chase your dreams long enough, you won’t give them a chance to come true. I’m also enough of a realist to admit that you might not always get what you want in life, but you might find that what makes you feel fulfilled is a lot different from what you think you want right now. Our dreams and aspirations change over time. Still, the quote is motivational and we all need encouragement to keep going from time to time.

So, like the Chinese proverb says, “Fall down seven times, get up eight” – if you get knocked down an eighth time then you need to find the inner strength to pull yourself up a ninth time and keep on going. Life is a participation sport. The people who keep on going are the ones who make a difference in the long run.