Guess that some of you may be wondering if there really is a life after death. Well yes there is life after life. A friend of mine just told me this very interesting story of her near death experience which happened some twenty years ago. She was brought to the emergency room for a procedure to remove her ectopic pregnancy which was life threatening. During the procedure, her heart stopped and the machine flat lined for about five minutes or so. In those short five minutes of "close encounter with death", her experience seemed like it happened for hours. She recounted how she felt like falling into a circular dark tunnel moving at a very fast pace which exited toward a bright room. In that place beside her was a very bright and maginificent being which to her interpretation seemed like God. This omnipotent being was just staring at her and immediately events of her life started flashing like a movie before her and this Holy Being. In between experiences wherein she would have caused pain, she would be shown the direct consequences of her action and how it affected the aggrieved person. She realizes these events to be her sins being accounted before her. While these tragic events are emphasized before her, she felt like there was a weight of ton on her back. She describes them to be so heavy and she is unable to even lift herself up from the heaviness of her sins. She also recounts that as these sins are being shown before her, she was so ashamed of them that she didn't even have the courage to cast even a glance at the Holy Presence before her. Suddenly, she hears a voice which she recognizes to be her mother which says to her, "It isn't your time yet, you have to go back". In an instant, she was transported to a different place and then flashes of her young children were shown before her while her mother's voice kept telling her, "You must go back, you haven't finished your earthly duties as mother to your very young children, they need you, go back". Though hesitant at first, she suddenly felt being sucked and thrust back to the dark tunnel from where she emerged and no sooner did she hear the voice of the doctors and nurses as saying, "She's back, she's gonna be alright". When she awoke from her temporary death, she realizes that it was only a five minute experience but to her it seemed like a very long time. When she would tell of her near death experience to others, they found her story hard to believe thinking that she was hallucinating from the anesthesia given to her during the procedure. She told me this story and it has made a great impact on me, most especially the part on being considerate in our relationships with other people. I firmly believe that the Holy Presence before her was GOD and as her sins were being accounted before her, she was also being shown the hurtful impact which her actions had caused on those she had offended. Three things that can now be confirmed from her story. 1. There is life after life. 2. There is a GOD who is loving and forgiving. 3. Sins are so great an offense that we are made accountable for. Because of this near death experience, her attitiude in life towards her family, friends, God and other people have changed for the better. And because of her story, my attitude towards God, neighbor, sin and forgiveness have brought me greater appreciation and assessment of my actions. She is now closer to God and emphasizes the importance of making up for lost time. How lucky of her to have been given a second chance at life to correct the mistakes (sins) she caused on others. She was indeed fortunate, but we may never have that second chance to make up, compensate, or correct our mistakes, so we better make sure that we live our life to the fullest according to God's commandment of loving one another. Hurt and Forgiveness are two powerful forces that should go hand in hand, When we are hurt, we must learn to forgive. If we hurt others, we must be humble enough to ask forgiveness. My self examination has taught me humility and acceptance of my shortcomings. I'd want to be able to compensate for my shortcomings while I still can and have the time for it. God indeed made sure that the karmic forces of Love govern the entire universe to maintain the balance of Life among his creation. Do not do unto others as you don't want others to do unto you.