What is a meme? In short, a meme is a quote on an image, but it’s also so much more than that. Memes are at the very root of cause and effect in our lives.
Most people have far more subliminal programs or memes running their lives via their subconscious mind than they’re ever aware of. The more self-aware you become, the more you discover the programs functioning in the background of your mental operating system.
Another term for that is meme.
Memes are largely the manner in which societal information is conveyed in today’s world. But what is a meme?
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
- Audio Article: What is a Meme
- What is a Meme?
- Internet Memes and Quotes
- Memes, Media and the Masses
- Self Awareness and Programming
- Memes to Avoid
- Choose Positive Memes
AUDIO ARTICLE: What is a Meme
What is a Meme?
Memes Are:
- Memes = Ideas or thoughts
- Internet Memes = concepts and ideas that “go viral” and spread through the online world
- Quote Memes = ideas and concepts captured as quotes that get spread virally
The original word ‘meme’ is a shortening of the ancient Greek word, mimeme, pronounced mīmēma, meaning an “imitated thing”, or “to imitate”.
Meme Meaning
The word meme was coined by English biologist and author, Richard Dawkins in his book, The Selfish Gene. Meme’ is a neologism, which means it’s a new (neo) word (logism) making its way into accepted and known vernacular.
So what is a meme? A meme is basically a thoughtform, a form of thought and way of thinking about something that develops into a belief that leads to a way of thinking, which leads to a way of life.
A meme is a thought that leads to a way of thinking, that develops into a belief, which leads to a way of life.
~LeAura Alderson, cofounder-iCreateDaily®
Internet Memes and Quotes
Since it’s inception and intended use, “meme” has—true to it’s original concept and definition—morphed into something else that has more widespread usage. Today, the most familiar use of the word meme is as an “Internet meme”, which is an idea, activity, or concept that spreads, especially by social media, and often via the common term of “memes”, as images with quotes.
Most often, these quoted images termed “memes” tend to be funny, vulgar or “Far Side“ humor. Hmm… seems we need to create a neologism for that concept of Gary Larson’s unique blend of Far Side humor! ?
Memes, Media and the Masses
Memes come in as many sizes, shapes, colors and genres as there are people. The biggest societal memes are those of culture and nationality and the most polarizing of memes are those of politics and religion. Memes can be expressed through mindset, humor, culture, and conditioning.
Memes run the programs of our lives far more than we realize. It is only through heightened, conscious effort toward developing a self-awareness that we discover these. Most memes are buried deep in your psyche. The best mining tool is self-awareness and an open mind, free of attachment to the way things have always been, and the way we’ve always thought things to be.
Memes are placed upon us like garments from the moment we’re born. But now… now you can choose which clothes to keep and which to let go. Let go the ones which weigh you down and that don’t become you.
Return to yourself, before you were put upon.
~LeAura Alderson, cofounder iCreateDaily®
Self Awareness and Programming
What hidden programs are running your life?
The one tool you can develop that will serve every aspect of your life is to expand your awareness. Awareness sheds light in dark places, and self-awareness helps you discover the gems within and bring them to light to polish and refine and place in the settings you choose. Choose the context of thought that will lead to the life you want.
Another revelatory book on the subject of programs running our lives is Virus of the Mind by Richard Brodie.
Richard Brodie, former early Microsoft employee, developer, innovator, says that “Memes are contagious ideas that evolve in our culture. I realized there wasn’t a book about them, so he wrote one: Virus of the Mind.”
These ideas that we communicate are called memes. Memes are a kind of thing. Memes live in our minds.
~Richard Brodie, former Microsoft developer, author – Virus of the Mind
Memes to Avoid
Awareness sheds light in dark places.
~LeAura Alderson, iCreateDaily®
There are plenty of funny memes that poke fun at the human condition and make quirky satire of all of life’s experiences. Many of these are fun, funny and often relatable, but for the most part you’ll want to avoid negative memes like these.
Okay, so it’s funny, BUT… psychologists tell us that the subconscious mind often doesn’t distinguish humor from reality. Since we become what we repeatedly do and think, we need to take care that what we think is aligned with that which we wish to become and the life we wish to live.
So have a chuckle now and then but train your default to positivity and possibility, gratitude and optimism, and your life will grow more in that direction.
What if we viewed life’s challenges as an adventure and problems as puzzles to solve?
Negativity
Adventure, Mysteries and Puzzles
My husband, Coleman, is good at turning problems into puzzles to solve, mysteries to figure out and adventures to explore. When problems arise, especially things that need fixing, his mind automatically goes to work on a solution. Certain kinds of minds are especially good at that. My mother is also like that.
It’s lucky for me that Coleman is good at that, because while I’m good at solving people and business problems, my strength is not in having the patience to do “fix it” things. However, if I have to, I rally an adventurous mindset, in the same way I do for the people and business challenges, and it makes all the difference. You can too.
Choosing positivity is a mindset that begins as a practice and becomes a way of life. And… it makes a world of difference in your happiness and peace of mind.
Instead… choose positive memes!
Choosing positivity is a mindset that begins as a practice and becomes a way of life.
~LeAura Alderson, cofounder iCreateDaily®
Choose Positive Memes
How to develop more self-awareness and take charge of your life? Associate with positive people and positive memes. Observe what makes you light and bright and creative and do more of that. Observe what makes you doubtful, fearful and stagnant, and do less of that. In fact, do away with that.
Self improvement… a lifelong adventure.
~LeAura Alderson, iCreateDaily®
How to Improve Your Life?
Do more of what makes you:
Related: On track with purpose
Do away with what makes you:
Do more of what makes you confident. Confidence comes from living into our highest potential.
When we’re doing what we think we should do and living the life we’re capable of, we naturally become more confident, and in the flow of positivity. Confidence comes from living the life that elevates and inspires you… that pulls you into your potential.
And likewise, negativity pulls us down and weakens every aspect of our life.
Related: Fear and Anxiety
Related: How to turn stinking thinking around.
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Hello! I’m LeAura, owner and co-creator of iCreateDaily.com®. As an autodidactic philosopher, generalist, personal development advocate, entrepreneur, writer, editor, author, ideator, media publisher, and podcaster, I’m passionate about helping others achieve their best possible life! Our small family of entrepreneurs, writers, investors, educators and creators own and run websites around topics we enjoy, such as gardening, health and fitness, creativity and pets, with more to come.
While my greatest teacher is Life… my formal training includes certifications in mediation, fitness, and strategic intervention coaching, including marriage and family. Today, the synergy of creating websites, articles and podcasts, brings together all my favorite things: family, learning, growth, creating, connecting and contributing. To share these with you is a privilege, that serves my lifelong aspiration to help others.
My personal areas of creativity are in writing, masterminding, ideation, synthesis and bringing ideas to life through business and entrepreneurship, all with a pervasive spiritual foundation with a focus on elevating the lives of others.
Want to submit your photos, videos and/or article content for publication? We love to consider your contribution for publication! creators@icreatedaily.com