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The Trap of Memetic Desires: Learning to Want What’s Truly Yours

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“We are not merely influenced by others — we are shaped by what they desire.”

– René Girard

Have you ever wanted something simply because someone else seemed to?

A certain lifestyle, job, relationship, or version of happiness — one that didn’t even cross your mind until you saw it shining in someone else’s hands?

That’s what philosopher René Girard called a memetic desire; a desire we absorb rather than originate.

It’s when our wants aren’t born from within, but borrowed from the world around us.

How Mimicry Shapes Desire

As children, we learn by imitation. We mimic how others talk, dress, and behave. But Girard suggested that imitation runs deeper than action — it shapes desire itself.

We don’t just copy what others do; we copy what they want.

And in a world overflowing with highlight reels, that’s a powerful and often dangerous thing.

Think about it:

You scroll through social media and suddenly feel drawn to a certain aesthetic or lifestyle you never cared about before. You hear your peers talking about success, and suddenly your definition of “enough” changes. You see two people in love online, and suddenly you’re not sure if you want love or just the image of it.

That’s the quiet pull of mimetic desire — subtle, yet powerful.

Recognizing the Signs

You might be caught in the current of memetic desire if:

You feel restless or “behind” after seeing others’ achievements. You chase things that look good on the outside but don’t feel right inside. Your desires change rapidly based on who you’re around or what you consume.

Memetic desires are like mirrors — they reflect others’ longings until we mistake them for our own.

🌱 Returning to Your Authentic Desires

The good news is, once you see the pattern, you can step outside it.

Here are a few ways to return home to your true desires:

1. Pause before you pursue.

Ask yourself: When did I start wanting this?

Did this desire come from a quiet inner pull, or from seeing someone else with it?

2. Sit in stillness.

Your authentic desires don’t shout — they whisper. Create space for silence, journaling, prayer, or time in nature.

When the noise fades, the truth emerges.

3. Listen to your body.

Memetic desires create tension and chasing. Authentic ones feel peaceful and grounded — even if they ask for courage.

4. Define success for yourself.

Write down what a “fulfilled life” truly means to you — not what society defines as success.

Revisit it often to stay anchored.

5. Surround yourself with grounded souls.

We absorb the energy of those around us. Stay close to people who value depth over display.

The Gift of Awareness

The moment you become aware of memetic desire, it loses its power.

You begin to want less of what glitters — and more of what’s real.

You start noticing how much peace lives in authenticity.

Because at the end of the day, your soul didn’t come here to copy.

It came to remember itself.

“You were born an original. Don’t die a copy.” – John Mason

The Importance of Releasing Built-Up Energy

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“Thunder is good, thunder is impressive; but it is lightning that does the work.” – Mark Twain

I was sitting outside this morning, sipping coffee as a gentle rain shower passed through. Lightning flickered across the sky, thunder rumbled in the distance, and I was struck by how beautiful it all was. That simple moment sent me down a little “Google trail” of facts about thunder, lightning, and their connection with the earth. The more I read, the more amazed I felt by how deeply nature is woven together and how much of that connection we often overlook.

It reminded me of something from many years ago, when I worked at the bank. One of the first lessons they taught us about working with customers was this: you must create a connection before offering advice. That connection built trust, and with trust came a relationship.

Without it, nothing meaningful could take root.

Isn’t the same true with our Mother Earth? How important it is to slow down, notice her rhythms, and take the time to build connection. With connection comes care, and with care comes relationship.

When thunder shakes the earth, we are reminded that even the sky must let go. Storms don’t appear out of nowhere, they build from heat, pressure, and imbalance. Eventually, the energy becomes too great to hold, and nature finds its release through lightning and thunder.

This release isn’t destructive by design. It’s restorative. The rain nourishes the soil. The air cools. The atmosphere resets. Without the storm, the earth would stay tense, suffocated by pressure that has nowhere to go.

We are no different.

Each of us carries storms inside; emotions we bottle up, words we don’t say, grief we don’t grieve. Like the sky, we can only hold so much. When we refuse to release what weighs on us, it doesn’t disappear; it hides in our bodies, our thoughts, our relationships. The pressure builds until it finds a way out; sometimes in anger, sometimes in tears, sometimes in illness.

But when we allow release — a cry, a deep conversation, a prayer, a long walk, a creative expression — we restore balance. We clear space for peace, for clarity, for renewal.

Just as thunder reminds us the earth is alive and in motion, our own release reminds us we are living, feeling beings. And letting go is not weakness. It’s wisdom.

Because in both nature and life, release is what makes room for growth.

Ways to Release Built-Up Energy

Journaling – Write freely, without judgment, letting your emotions pour onto the page.

Movement – Dance, stretch, walk, or shake your body to let energy flow out physically.

Crying or Laughing – Both are natural releases the body uses to reset and heal.

Breathwork – Deep, intentional breathing can calm the nervous system and move stuck energy.

Prayer or Meditation – Offer what you’re holding onto to God/the universe, releasing it into something greater than yourself.

Creative Expression – Paint, sing, garden, or create in any form that feels like release.

Speaking It Aloud – Share your feelings with a trusted friend, partner, or even speak them in solitude — the act of voicing brings relief.

Reflection Question:

What energy are you still holding onto that is ready to be released — and how might you allow yourself a healthy “thunderstorm” so that renewal can follow?

Little Habits for a Cleaner, More Organized Home

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Keeping a house clean doesn’t always mean sticking to a strict schedule. Sometimes it’s the little daily choices that make the biggest difference.

When we turn those small actions into habits, the home begins to take care of itself.

Here are some simple things you can do every day that make a huge impact:

The 2-Minute Rule – If it takes less than 2 minutes, do it right away. Wipe the counter, rinse the dish, fold the blanket.

Reset Before You Leave a Room – Before you walk out, take one thing with you that doesn’t belong there.

One In, One Out – Every time something new comes into the house, let one thing go.

Clear Surfaces at Night – Tidy the living room and wipe down counters before bed. A fresh start in the morning changes everything.

The 10-Item Pick Up – Choose any room, pick up 10 out-of-place items, and put them back. Quick, simple, effective.

Basket Trick – Keep a catch-all basket in the main living space. Toss random things in, then empty it at the end of the day.

Laundry Reset – Fold or hang clothes right when they come out of the dryer. (A small habit that prevents a big pile.)

Never Go Empty-Handed – Going upstairs? Grab what belongs there. Heading to the kitchen? Take a dish with you.

End-of-Day 5 Minutes – Spend just 5 minutes putting things back in place before bed.

Entryway Rule – Shoes, bags, coats go away the moment you walk through the door.

These little things may not seem like much on their own, but together they create a rhythm of order and peace. When the home feels lighter, so do we.

Maybe the secret isn’t in doing more, but in doing the small things consistently.

You Are You Hang Out With – Your Circle Should Inspire You, Not Drain You

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“Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future.” – Unknown

Who we spend time with shapes how we think, speak, and act. The people closest to us leave quiet fingerprints on our soul. Their words, habits, and outlook slowly weave into our own. When someone’s anger, negativity, or chaos becomes a regular soundtrack in your life, it slowly rewires your responses. That’s not just theory , it’s practical wiring: we pick up habits, tones, and rhythms from the people around us.

This truth isn’t about cutting people off in cruelty. It’s about wisdom; a guardrail for the heart. Protecting your peace allows you to become the person you are called to be. Sometimes that means creating distance from those who stir drama, and sometimes it means setting different boundaries for your own good.

Like trees sharing roots beneath the soil, we are more connected to those around us than we realize. That’s why boundaries are an act of love; for yourself, for your family, and even for the other person. Enabling unhealthy patterns rarely helps anyone heal.

Practical Steps

• Notice whose emotional tone you carry home. Set a gentle boundary (shorter visits, later pick-ups, less sharing).

• Choose circle-keepers who model what you want to become.

• Offer compassion from a distance: pray for people you can’t be close to right now.

Open Your Windows More

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There’s something sacred about opening a window.

It’s such a simple act, but it carries so much symbolism. It’s not just about letting in the breeze — it’s about letting something go. A releasing. A welcoming. A shift.

The act of opening windows has deep roots across many cultures and traditions, both symbolic and practical. Here are a few notable ones:

1. Letting in New Energy (Spiritual/Cultural)

In many cultures, opening windows is a way to:

Clear out stagnant or negative energy Welcome in fresh energy, light, and air — often associated with new beginnings or clarity Allow spirit or soul to leave after a death (common in Irish, Jewish, and some Asian traditions)

2. Spring Cleaning Traditions

In places like Europe and North America, opening the windows during spring cleaning symbolizes:

Rebirth, renewal, and cleansing after winter Letting nature back in — fresh air, sunshine, and warmth

3. Feng Shui

In Chinese feng shui, opening windows regularly:

Helps chi (life energy) circulate Prevents energy from becoming stagnant Connects the home with nature, harmony, and flow

4. Christian & Biblical Symbolism

Some interpret open windows as symbolic of:

Receiving blessings (Malachi 3:10 speaks of God opening the windows of heaven) Openness to God’s presence, guidance, or Spirit

5. Superstitions & Folklore

In some old traditions, leaving a window open during childbirth or death was thought to help the soul enter or exit. Some say you should open all the windows on New Year’s Day to let out the old year and bring in the new.

Common Thread:

No matter the culture, opening your windows usually symbolizes release, renewal, and receptivity — physically and spiritually.

Now go open a window! 🙂

Dear Readers, I am going…..

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…to begin sharing stories from my life.

What inspired me to create this category is a book that I am currently reading — ‘Tell Me Everything’ by Elizabeth Strout.

I am only at the beginning but a few times the author writes about everyone having unrecorded or shared stories.

Which makes me feel like revealing more of myself—-honestly just for fun.

I enjoy having a place where I can be vulnerable. While we are strangers in the real world, in here we are friends.

I have shared many lessons on this blog but I think I should share maybe how I learned some of these lessons.

As always, thank you for reading.

m.g.

Pick A Cereal And See What It Reveals About You

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Which cereal would you pour into your bowl without a second thought?

Reese’s Puffs Lucky Charms Frosted Flakes Cinnamon Toast Crunch Life Cereal Cocoa Puffs Fruity Pebbles

👇 Scroll down to find out what your cereal soul says about you! 🌟

1. Reese’s Puffs – The Bold Dreamer

You’re a vibrant mix of contrasts — a little salty, a little sweet, and never boring. You dive headfirst into your passions and aren’t afraid to stand out. You chase creative sparks and don’t mind shaking things up. Life’s too short to be plain.

2. Lucky Charms – The Whimsical Believer

You live with your head in the clouds and your heart wide open. You find magic in small moments, believe in signs, and laugh at your own jokes. Whether it’s a four-leaf clover or a marshmallow moon, you always notice the little wonders.

3. Frosted Flakes – The Reliable Optimist

You’re solid, dependable, and have a way of making people feel like everything’s going to be okay. You believe in second chances, silver linings, and the power of a good pep talk. You bring warmth and sunshine — even on a cereal box.

4. Cinnamon Toast Crunch – The Quiet Rebel

You might follow the rules — but only the ones you agree with. You’ve got a fire in your belly and a sparkle in your eye. You blend sweetness with a little bite, and you’re not afraid to question the “normal.” Your energy turns the ordinary into adventure.

5. Life Cereal – The Deep Thinker with a Soft Side

You care deeply, think often, and love quietly. People come to you for perspective and calm. You might cry at movies, stare at the stars too long, or reread favorite books just to feel them again. Your steadiness is your superpower.

6. Cocoa Puffs – The Wild Card

You’re spontaneous, unpredictable, and a little bit extra. You don’t just walk into a room — you burst in, and people remember you. Life is your playground, and you’re not afraid to go a little “cuckoo” for what you love. You embrace chaos with a grin.

7. Fruity Pebbles – The Colorful Free Spirit

You’re vibrant, energetic, and totally yourself — even if that means being a little “too much” for some people. You bring color into every space you enter and aren’t afraid to express yourself in bold, joyful ways. Life with you is never dull — and that’s the point.

Still Waiting for a Sign

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Sometimes I wish she’d visit me in a dream.

Just once.

Just to say, “Hey, I know we didn’t get to be together in the earthly realm, but it was all for a reason. Just know I’m with you, and it’s all okay.”

I’ve heard stories from others about feathers on their doorstep, songs on the radio at just the right time, vivid dreams where their loved ones speak clearly. I try to hold space for those stories, to feel joy for them…

but I can’t help wondering—why not me?

I lost my birth mother, and along with her, a lifetime of moments we never got to share. There’s a quiet ache that comes from not getting to know someone who shaped your very beginning. Now that she’s in the spirit world, part of me longs for just one sign. One dream. One whisper.

But there’s only silence.

And yet… maybe that silence doesn’t mean absence.

Maybe the connection is still there, just not in the way I expected.

Maybe she’s been with me all along when I’ve felt courage I didn’t know I had, or grace that came out of nowhere. I’m apart of her, I know that, and getting to know me is getting to know her too.

Still, I hope.

I hope that one night, maybe in a dream, she’ll say what my heart has longed to hear:

“I see you. I’ve always loved you. And even though we couldn’t be together in this life…..your path, it’s unfolding exactly as it should.”

Until then, I’ll keep listening.

And I’ll keep trusting that love finds a way,

even in the quiet.

The Soul’s Mirrors: Twin Flames, Karmic Partners, and Deep Spiritual Teachers

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Have you ever met someone who felt strangely familiar, even if you had just met?

Or someone who completely shook your world — whether through love, conflict, or deep lessons?

There’s a reason so many ancient traditions and modern philosophies speak about soul connections.

They are part of something much bigger than coincidence. They are part of how our souls grow.

Let’s step into this mysterious world together.

Where Do These Ideas Come From?

The concepts of twin flames, karmic partners, and spiritual teachers aren’t new.

Versions of them have existed for thousands of years — from the Hindu ideas of karma, to Plato’s philosophy about the soul being split into two, to Eastern teachings about souls traveling together across lifetimes.

In more recent times, these ancient ideas have woven themselves into what many now call New Age spirituality — but their roots are timeless.

At the heart of them all is one truth:

Relationships are how souls evolve.

Twin Flames: Two Halves of One Flame

The idea of a twin flame is that two souls were once one, and they split into two bodies to experience life separately — only to eventually find each other again.

But reunion is not just about romance.

It’s about transformation.

Twin flames reflect back everything inside you: your wounds, your fears, your dreams, your divinity.

The connection is intense and often chaotic at first. Twin flames trigger healing by exposing everything that still needs light. The journey isn’t about “completing” each other — it’s about becoming whole within yourself.

In ancient Greece, Plato described this beautifully in his dialogue Symposium, where he wrote that humans were originally whole beings, split apart, and forever seeking their other half.

Karmic Partners: Lessons Written in the Stars

Karmic partners are different.

You are drawn to each other because of unfinished business — energetic debts, unresolved wounds, lessons that must be learned.

The connection is magnetic, passionate, but often heavy. These relationships usually teach through contrast: by showing you what you don’t want, what needs healing, or how strong you truly are. Once the karmic energy is balanced, the relationship often naturally fades.

The word “karma” comes from Sanskrit, meaning “action” — and with karmic partners, past actions ripple forward, offering a chance to heal and complete old cycles.

Deep Spiritual Teachers: Not Always What You Expect

Not every soul connection is about romance or pain.

Sometimes, a soul crosses your path simply to awaken something inside you.

A deep spiritual teacher could be:

A friend who helps you remember who you are. A mentor who inspires you to rise. Even someone who hurts you in a way that forces you to break free and rebuild.

These soul encounters can be short or lifelong.

Their purpose is transformation — to nudge, push, or pull you closer to your true self.

Ancient mystics believed that God, the Universe, the Divine — whatever name you use — speaks to us through people. Every powerful connection is a whisper:

“Wake up. Grow. Remember who you are.”

At the Root of It All

At the deepest level, all of these connections — twin flames, karmic partners, spiritual teachers — are mirrors.

Each one shows us something we could not see alone.

Each one invites us to love more deeply: ourselves, others, and the divine heartbeat running through everything.

We do not meet anyone by accident.

Every soul who touches ours leaves an imprint — shaping who we become.

Closing Thought

If you’ve ever wondered why certain people enter your life with such force —

why some feel like home, why others feel like a wildfire —

know this:

You are not lost. You are being shaped.

You are not being punished;

you are being awakened.

Every soul encounter is a part of your journey back to the wholeness you already carry inside.

Don’t Underestimate the Power of a Well-Timed Break

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In a world that glorifies hustle and productivity, taking a break can feel like a luxury—maybe even a weakness. But the truth is, rest is not just a pause from progress; it’s an essential part of it. Just like the seasons, we’re not meant to be in constant motion. Even nature understands the importance of stillness.

Take trees, for example. In the winter, they appear lifeless—bare branches standing still against the cold. But beneath the surface, something remarkable is happening. Their roots stretch deeper, gathering strength. Their energy is reserved, stored, and redirected for future growth. The dormancy of winter isn’t stagnation; it’s preparation. And when spring arrives, they bloom with renewed vitality.

We could learn a lot from the trees.

We push ourselves to keep going, believing that if we stop, we’ll fall behind. We ignore exhaustion, replace rest with caffeine, and convince ourselves that burnout is just part of the process. But when we refuse to pause, we rob ourselves of the restoration we need to thrive.

A well-timed break isn’t laziness—it’s strategy. It allows the mind to reset, the body to recover, and the soul to breathe. It’s in those moments of stillness that clarity emerges, creativity reignites, and energy returns.

So, don’t underestimate the power of stepping back. Take the nap. Close the laptop. Step outside. Embrace the quiet. You are not failing by resting—you are preparing. And just like the trees, when your next season of growth comes, you’ll be ready.