Fall seven times, get up eight. This Japanese proverb, ‘Nana korobi, ya oki’, has been with me for at least fifteen years. Initially, the saying came through as a theme for a Toonami homily – an inspirational music video we would create every six to eight weeks for the fans. This incredible piece, “Life Advice,” features characters from various anime shows that were part of the Toonami Saturday night block at that time. The voice over of TOM by Steve Blum brings an added power to the piece (he even mentions in an interview that this piece is one of his favorites…and he’s read a LOT of content). The overall theme in the homily is as simple as the line – no matter how many times you get knocked down, you stand back up. And most importantly, TOM and the Toonami crew will be standing right there with you.
A few years after the Toonami “Life Advice” release, I am reading The Three-Year Swim Club and the saying is the title of one of the chapters. Taking place during the 30s and 40s, the book tells the true story of a group of Japanese American children learning to swim in the sugar ditches of Maui. Their coach, Soichi Sakamoto, creates the club and is more than aware of the constant post war pushback found in America that affects their ability to swim with other clubs as well as the available resources. He uses this resistance as a part of the training. He sets a goal for the team to go to the Olympics – even when at times they are not allowed to swim in the National competitions leading up to the qualifying meets. The story is unreal – from the conditions in which these kids swim, to the racism they faced daily to then competing in the Olympics. And how had I never heard this story? As a long-time competitive swimmer, I am not just struck by the story of these incredible athletes and their determined coach, but also their resiliency. They just keep going. Fall seven times, get up eight.
I took this saying on as my personal and quiet mantra. There had to be a reason it kept coming into my life. As I like to say, the Universe is a powerful lady. I began to use it for support while a minor health issue grew to a major one. With each set back, each new challenge, I found the will to keep going.
To help put my feelings for the saying into visual form, I created an animated piece with Adam Fuchs of Lilfuchs for an Adult Swim department retreat. Featuring the proverb in Kanji form, which is the Japanese writing system and characters adapted from Chinese characters, Adam brought such beauty to my idea. He found the power and strength I wanted to convey.
Today the mantra continues to give me strength as I am often in brand new territory with Angelfish. The motivation to keep going, no matter the setback.
What makes the mantra so powerful, so true? The key that helps keep me going? My community.
The community, my village, that is with me building Angelfish. This includes coaching, site development, brand marketing and learning my management style in this new setting. There is no ‘sole’ in entrepreneur. This knowing when to reach out for help or to engage a thinking partner, both crucial for continuing to move forward. It may appear that it’s just me…but it’s the community of support that drives me each day.
There is also bringing together my team for a development project. The beauty of creating lasting relationships and then letting them shine in their various talents. From sound design, editorial, writing, design, engineering to marketing – I am beyond grateful for those that are stepping in to help.
Lunches, coffees, calls that lead to new opportunities – for me and for others. Invites to industry events and screenings. Meetings and tours of incredible companies and higher ed campus’, being a speaker, mentor, consultant. I’m learning that the community has infinite possibilities.
Recently it’s been about building an online community through social marketing. This is new to me and I’m enjoying the conversations from those more experienced to help me get started. This quote, “what you are most scared to do could be your biggest asset,” is guiding me. Learning to be comfortable with being visible? For certain I can do this with the community of support.
And the community of where I live. The boards that I’m on to give me insight into the communities’ needs and how I can be a voice of awareness. The volunteering, sometimes at places not five minutes from my home, to lend a hand to those in need.
Community. It can be the power of two or the power of many. We can look at this moment as a task to engage in community. Or an opportunity to help all of us grow. I choose to look at it as an opportunity. I look to what I have discovered in a course with Interfaith on becoming a bridge builder. The main theme throughout the course – Pluralism. Defined as “not merely evidence of our differences, but a charge to build and maintain our community together.”
Let’s continue to build our community. And when we fall, we all get up one more time – together.
