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Catingub, Cherrielyn C.
BSN III C
FEB 28/ 2014

REFLECTION PAPER


Human beings consist of both physical bodies and non physical minds and that the mind is the essence
of a person. One of the big unanswered questions in life, do we as human beings truly have souls? This
particular question raises a lot of eyebrows in the world and has made people really think about the deeper
meaning of what it may pose. There is no right or wrong way to answer this mainly because we wont know
until death whether our soul lives on or even if we have a soul to begin with. Originally a soul was described
as a persons inner being that is basically being used to store all their lifelong experiences even after death.
Here is my first perception, a soul in my mind is the inner strength of a person that grows as life goes on with
all the events and emotions we all possess, and when we pass away our souls will live on. The reason why I
believe this premise provides clarity to this question comes from the teachings and beliefs I have engraved in
my life along with going to a protestant institution my whole childhood learning about the mind, body and
soul. These three are connected to each other to make up us as human beings using them as building blocks to
a whole bigger picture in life, the mind being one that makes us think, the body being the base of this trifecta
and our souls making up the inner core of our beliefs that gives us the strength to be able to perform everyday
things. Human beings consist of both physical bodies and non physical minds and that the mind is the essence
of a person. Plato was a dualist. He believed that the soul and the body are two separate substances that
interact. The real identity of the person lies with the soul. I am a living, breathing organism signified by the
words human being. I am a material or physical being fairly recognisable over time to me and to others: I am
a body. Through my body, I have 5 senses : touch, see, hear, taste and smell. The array of physical sensations
available to me also includes pain, hunger, thirst, tiredness, injury, sickness, fear and pleasure. In this way I
experience myself, others and the world around me. However, there is another aspect of me not directly
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visible or definable. This is the aspect of me which thinks and feels, reflects and judges, remembers and
anticipates. Words used to describe this aspect include mind, spirit, heart, soul, awareness and
consciousness. This part of me is aware that I can never be fully known or understood by myself or by
others; it notices that although there may be some unchanging essence which is me, this same me is also
constantly changing and evolving. So I am a physical body and an emotional and psychological (or spiritual)
being. The two together make me a person. Being a person means that I have virtues and flaws, gifts and
needs, possibilities and defeats. I am basically good, but I am capable of evil. I am neither an angel nor a
monster. Being a person means that I am a social animal, needing connection, recognition and acceptance
from others, while simultaneously knowing myself as isolated and solitary, with many experiences which are
never fully shareable with others. I cant stress enough how thankful I am because God blessed me without
any physical disabilities. God gave me arms to stretch in the morning, to allow me to wrap my arms around
the people I love. For giving me legs to kick pebbles down the street, to walk, to run, to get me from point A
to point B. I also believe that the soul is the center of human life. I believe that human beings have souls that
act as the inner core and strength we possess throughout our lifetime and also in having faith that we do
indeed have a soul inside of us. A body without a soul is not a human being but a piece of flesh and bones.
Each of us is here for a reason, and each of us has something to give. If God can use a man without arms and
legs to be His hands and feet, then He will certainly use any willing heart! I believe that I got into Nursing
for a reason, and it is to use my body and soul to serve others. Usually I would as much as possible, volunteer
to programs that offers free services and is supposed to reach out to the least fortunate people. I think It is a
great way of using the body and serving its purpose to the benefit of others and in a way it also uplifts my
soul and makes me feel better in every way.