Ways
of
Being

You know, everyone can see that there's a difference

between animals and humans and the way they live their lives.

Of course they have a lot of things in common,

humans have bodies that work like animals,

but they also have something extra special that makes them different.

That special something we call their souls.

Souls are what make humans understand the world the way they do,

their souls see what is good and bad in the world in a different way to the animals.

Animals need to be able to tell what is good and what is bad to eat,

but humans also need to know what is good and bad for their souls,

a way to be that depends on how they think and feel, and who they are.

Souls are who we are, our selves,

and souls have a special difference to bodies.

They are made of different stuff and go on living even if their bodies die.

And that is why we need to find out what is good and what is bad for them,

and try to live that way.

Of course, animals also have selves, and show feelings like humans.

They feel afraid when they are hunted.

They feel love and affection for each other.

And just like when a cat is purring, you know that there are times when they feel good!

And these feelings are involved in what they choose to do in their lives.

If they are frightened they may run away from what is chasing them,

and frightened humans might do the same.

It's all tied up with the chemicals in their bodies,

and strong feelings can make humans behave in some pretty crazy ways.

So it is important when they are choosing what to do at any time,

that they know how these feelings can affect them.

Different feelings affect them in different ways,

and to understand their feelings humans have to look at the different Ways of Being,

and know which are useful to their souls and which are not.

Because humans all have to find their own way through life,

and they all see who they are in a different way.

Not only do they all have different body shapes,

and faces,

and even fingerprints,

and all like different colours, shapes and sounds,

but they also think and act in different ways.

Some are shy, some are bossy,

some like a crowd and some like to be alone.

Each has to find a Way of Being that is good for the soul.

And when they meet they try to discover whether others are like themselves,

and try to find a Way of Being that they can share together.

What Ways of Being do you want to think about?

What are the things that we like about other people?

What makes us feel good about ourselves?

What things make us dislike other people?

What makes other people dislike us?