There is a Japanese proverb that goes, "Nanakorobi yaoki" (七転び八起き) or fall down seven times, get up eight. Metaphorically, as Aikidoist we are the most adaptable to adversity because we are constantly getting up after being thrown down.
It is easy to see that failure is the worst thing that has ever happened to us. It is supremely difficult to see failure as the greatest thing that has ever happened to us.
William Shakespeare had a great quote in Hamlet, “There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.” Winning, losing, succeeding or failing are all the same to Aikidoist. We understand that regardless of the outcome, everything gives us the opportunity to learn or as they say in Zen, "Let everything become your teacher."
This piece of calligraphy reminds us that to be successful in any endeavor all that is required is that we get up after being thrown down. The Dalai Lama put it best, "When you lose, don't lose the lesson."