OK, you don’t have to believe this;  
but it’s worth thinking about. 
 
Here’s the theory – it’s as beautifully 
simple, and as subtle in its implications,  
as any mathematician would enjoy:  
 
In the succession of our lives,  
leading by so many, many rebirths 
to our perfection, each life 
is shaped by our actions 
in the previous life 
 
and, deep, deep in our soul - 
which wants only the best for us,  
while we live through what’s laid down 
by our past – some sublime reasoning 
sets up the handicaps which we must 
transcend in our next life; that is, this one 
 
rather as if a jockey or a show-jumper 
sets up the hedges, fences, walls, and water-jumps 
for themself, so that they themself 
may test themself to ride a greater course,  
maybe a perfect round.. 
 
I’ll cut the moral, here. It’s all 
beyond acceptance, and personal forgiveness, though 
that’s a start; just a lifetime of 
opportunities to ‘make something of yourself’ 
knowing in your heart that ultimately - 
that is,  right now - 
it’s for the good 
 
so, for a nice friendly family start:  
you yourself chose your parents.. 
 
OK, you don’t have to believe this;  
but it’s worth thinking about?
Michael Shepherd
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/0182-parents-2/