Is Death Really the End or the Window to A New Beginning?

Earlier this month I learned a dear friend had been diagnosed with terminal cancer. She has been given less than six months to live as the cancer has fully permeated her liver and pancreas. Since the diagnosis, her health has rapidly declined and the hope of realizing several more months of life is quickly waning. The fear of death holds a mighty grip because what lies beyond our physical existence is basically unknown and fear of the unknown can be debilitating and torturous. Our spiritual beliefs play a major role in how we view death and how we respond when we are faced with it. Those who believe that physical death is the absolute end of existence may live their remaining days or months in terror, anger, and regret, and assume the role of a victim, the recipient of a ruthless injustice. There are others who believe that our physical time on earth is but a learning opportunity on the path towards higher awareness and evolution. Everything in the universe is made up of energy, us included. There is an energy that brought us to earth in the form of a human being and this same energy will move us into our next form whatever that may be. Do you know where you were before you came to earth? Before you materialized here in the form of a human? If you knew what to expect on earth prior to arriving would you have jumped at the chance? Imagine looking through the classifieds in your previous existence and you read an ad that says, Opportunity to join fast-paced, tumultuous planet where you will be exposed to disease, war, pain, hunger, fear and hatred. You will arrive without skill or protection and must rely solely on a more developed member of your species for food, shelter, comfort and safety. You will not be able to feed or care for yourself during your first few years of life and will not have the cognitive ability to recognize danger or threat. You may spend your developing years in a loving environment or in one filled with hatred, violence and pain. We cannot guarantee your physical form. You may arrive without limbs, possibly be blind or deaf or suffer a form of impairment or mutilation that might create challenges or hardship for you. We cannot guarantee you love, respect or an enjoyable voyage. It will be the role of a dice. You will be given a heart that can be broken and your spirit will be challenged regularly. You will arrive on earth completely exposed, unprepared and without a survival handbook. You will be expected to learn, grow, survive on your own and make the most with what you have. You are offered no guarantees and you cannot come back when you wish. You are committed for an undetermined period of time and may not return until you are called. If this sounds like something you