If at First You Don't Succeed...Die, Die Again.

Today’s blog addresses the question from last Thursday (12/4/25): What do you think/believe happens to you/your soul when and after you die?

In order to try to accurately describe how I most closely relate, I will re-tell a story that was once shared with me that resonates with me.

Once upon a time, there was a beautiful soul. For the purpose of this story, I will refer to this soul as “Starshine” and as gender neutral with they/their/them pronouns because I don’t know the gender of a soul!

One day, Starshine was placed into human form, that of a fetus, in the womb of a specific and carefully chosen mother, with a chosen family, to fulfill a goal. For nine-ish months, as human features were developing, Starshine, in utero, in the quiet moments that humans believed they were “sleeping”, continued to communicate with other souls - the “ancestors”. These ancestors prepared Starshine the best they could for the life they would yield.

Starshine was born into the world in human form. Yet, once breathing the air they forgot all of the things that were shared with them in utero. Unaware of what they had lost, their human experience commenced.

As they grew, every life choice that was presented to them, was part of a greater lesson, primarily for Starshine, but also for the others around them. All celebrations, tragedies, near misses, and everything in between presented an opportunity to understand a deeper lesson. Sometimes Starshine could figure it out, other times, not figuring it out was part of the lesson.

Some souls wrestle with their human ego that can often get in the way of truly listening and understanding the bigger picture. Other souls awaken to the concept of everything being “one” and being part of a larger collective. Other souls still may not make any meaning of life lessons until very late in life, while the “old souls” may find an inner peace at an early age, baffling many around them. Perhaps the soul could even start to remember pieces of what it was meant to do on earth- and those in-utero conversations that were forgotten upon delivery, in bits and pieces, start to become a little clearer.

One never really knows how long it will take to complete their own life’s lesson, especially when one doesn’t know what the lesson is. It could be completed as early as infancy or toddlerhood, adolescence, adulthood, or well into old age. Each soul has their own timeline.

When Starshine completed their earthly lesson, (the purpose for which they were put on the earth) their time too came to an end. Their human body ceased to function and without a heartbeat, their soul and their physical body separated. They were called back to the land of the ancestors (some call it heaven) to where there is only grace and ease-or perhaps some existence that we have no human words for. Perhaps the word “otherworldly” describes a place where we are at a loss for words to describe the unfathomable level of peace. Whatever that word or existence is, that is where the soul returns to.

Once Starshine separated from their body, they were given time to reflect on their time on earth. An awaiting Council of Ancestors, without judgement ask, “What did you accomplish? How did that feel? What was the greater lesson? How does this complete you? How have you incorporated the greater good? Do you now see why this particular earthly existence needed to happen?” (and probably lots of other questions I am forgetting.) This council sits around their soul fire and together suggest a next life for Starshine that could show a perspective that would help them understand peace and oneness at an even greater level. This next life would include different experiences in a different body, with a different life, that will allow Starshine to incorporate what they have already learned in previous lives (regardless of whether the human form can easily recall the specifics of what that is) while enriching their soul further with the next opportunity.

In complete agreement with the Council, Starshine eagerly gets back in line to re-enter the human world- or maybe even another world we don’t yet know, and is placed back into another fetus (or being) to live yet another life, with greater opportunities, personal struggles, and immeasurable gifts.

Lather, rinse, repeat. If at first you don’t succeed, die, die again.

So, yes, this is a story. I took a few little liberties within the story to make it my own. (Somehow picturing the council of souls sitting around their little “soul fire” warming their little soul hands makes me smile!)

I know that none of us really knows for sure what is next. Is this my hard and fast belief? For now, it sits well with me. Am I open to other perspectives? Absolutely- 100%. For me, when thinking about what happens after we die, I am looking for deeper meaning. Deeper Understanding. And a belief that I can wrap my head around that brings me peace. For each of us, it is as different was what we choose to eat or the clothes we don each day.

There are so many cultures with so many stories that we haven’t yet heard- so many perspectives to remain open to receive with curiosity. Without judgement. But rather with acceptance, openness, and love.

This is only my belief. It doesn’t have to be yours. It just rests out there on the “what if” table to experience with curiosity.

What resonates with you? Anything? Nothing?

Either way, it is all good.