Social Media Era: Redemption and Resurrection

By adm1ak7xe 13/07/2026 4 min read 8 views

The concept of resilience has ancient roots, most notably found in the samurai tradition. A common aphorism states that one should “Fall down seven times, get up eight.” This saying comes from the Hagakure, a text composed of conversations between Yamamoto Tsunetomo and Nabeshima Mitsushige between 1709 and 1716. While often misinterpreted as a guide to dying, the work is actually a discourse on Bushido, the warrior’s way of living and dying well. It has become a staple for those seeking counsel on self-reliance, resilience, and effective leadership, particularly in modern times.

Our social media-informed culture places a unique demand on this ancient wisdom. In this environment, a single misstep, misunderstanding, or casual comment can lead to ad hominem attacks and ruin. The stakes feel higher than ever before. The constant visibility of our lives means that failure is not just a private matter; it is a public spectacle that can be dissected and judged in real-time.

However, the text suggests that the root of this friction often lies in our own perception of the conflict. It argues that in most social interactions, the situation is not actually about us. It is about the other person and the elements of their own ego they are imposing upon us. Your boss may not marginalize you because they feel you cannot do the job; it is because they feel threatened. Your supervisor may criticize you because, deep down, they know you do the job better than they do. Recognizing these trends—and emphasizing empathy, rather than our own ego—is key to a kind of social salvation. It is a mercy we visit upon those who would do us harm, allowing us to stand and move forward after being knocked down.

True resilience often relies more on patience—patience for others, patience for us, and patience for the circumstances we confront—than on simply being strong. It also requires accepting and allowing, a trait taught by Buddhist philosophy that helps us handle the world with grace and dignity. When we react with anger or defensiveness, we feed the very ego that is causing the conflict. By stepping back, we interrupt this cycle. This is not a passive act, but a strategic one. It requires the strength to watch a situation unfold without immediately engaging, which is often the hardest thing to do when emotions are high.

Reclaiming the self

Redemption, in this context, sounds like we are getting something back from outside ourselves. But what we are actually reclaiming is simply ourselves. Over the past several decades, it has become easier to lose sight of who we are and our place in the world. Reclaiming ourselves requires us to reset our personal perspective by releasing our attachment to people, places, and things outside of ourselves. We must recognize that we are the captain of our own ship. Our decisions and actions steer the course, not the actions or opinions of others.

This perspective speaks directly to the notion of accepting and allowing. The phrase “It is what it is” has become a universal truth. It is annoying, but it is accurate. We cannot control the externals; we can only experience them as they are and get a glove in front of that double-hop grounder, before it gets past us. When we stop trying to control external events, we free up the mental energy needed to focus on our own response. This shift is essential for moving forward.

Resurrection is not about getting back at those who wronged us, which has unfortunately become the rule of the day. Instead, it is about releasing that petty perspective to reclaim ourselves for our own sake. We take back what was stolen from us by our own misadventure. This process transforms a moment of defeat into a step toward growth. It changes the narrative from one of victimhood to one of agency.

This transformation is the essence of dignity and grace. Like the Phoenix, we rise from the ashes and restore ourselves to a greater glory. We rise from the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune—whether they be self-created, other-imposed, or simply happenstance—and we stand against the storm. We get to remake ourselves into something useful, and often better. By choice, we can be reborn into a larger life, painting upon a larger canvas than we ever imagined possible.