When babies are born, they are born without souls. Many of these babies will grow into children, some possessing souls and some not. How is that distinction made? Who gets a soul and who is denied? No one who seeks a soul is denied one. However, many people on this planet did not have souls as children. Some of those same people do not have souls now. In order to have a soul, one must seek it out. So many individuals do not bother with spirituality, such that there has not been a need for a greater number of souls as the population rises.

Each soul is in a state of continuous development. The most immature souls are rarely seen- observable only in small glimpses by those who know what to look for. The more mature souls are evident in the personality of the individual connected with that soul. Immature souls, like the immature minds of children, need teachers. Teaching is a great privilege, as well as a great responsibility, and is thus bestowed upon not only more mature, but older souls. Teachers are still learning, however. Every soul can progress in development. There is no perfection that may be achieved, as the needs and adaptations of the soul change constantly due to the environment in which it inhabits.

At the end of a mortal's life, the soul returns to the Collection, a version of heaven. There are no angels here, no lutes or harps or halos. The time of Collection is a time to retain knowledge learned over the past lifetime, to comprehend what has been lived. After this is done, the soul will most likely be selected again, returning to the mortal realm. The more development a soul goes through in a mortal's life, the longer it remains in the Collection to process the knowledge and wisdom. Souls that are more immature will remain for shorter periods of time because they have yet to amass the sheer volume of wisdom to reflect upon.

Older and more mature souls tend to emulate as those who are mature "beyond their years," or those who seem to have a knack for whatever they try their hand at. These souls are usually teachers and creators. The persons who are connected with these souls usually reside outside of the mainstream, and often suffer societal "problems" because of it. Your outcasts are most likely older souls (the author notes, however, that this is not always the case). They do what is right for them, for they have a better idea of who they truly are.

I, personally, do believe I am an older soul. I am a teacher, but a teacher with a vast amount to learn. I equate it to the academic teacher: in a way, I am here to get my master's degree or Ph.D. Instead of a degree in education, I am seeking a degree in life, happiness, and wisdom (the latter two often being at odds with one another).

Meditation is extremely important. It is a way to be at peace through the soul, and a way to better understand and develop the base of existence. The best instruction I have found thus far is Meditation for Every Day, by Bill Anderton, coupled with Night Light, by Amy E. Dean. An inner space, a place where you can manipulate your surroundings, a place where you can take a breath away from the insanity that is day to day life, is invaluable. Even just for a moment. Try this:

Relax... then direct your attention to a particular single visual object or single sound and keep your attention on it for as long as you can. If you attention wanders, bring it back. Allow yourself to develop a heightened awareness of the object or sound, particularly of its colour, texture or timbre.

An simple moment, its meaning amplified. If practiced regularly, this exercise will allow a soul to decide what colors and sounds present a positive influence. Life will improve. Never underestimate the power of the positive.  Courtesy of Rod Samson, a truly amazing human being: "You are a Masterpiece."  Treat yourself accordingly.