The first time

When I was in high school we had tracked classes. In my A track biology class I had to follow  a course of study until I felt I was ready to pass the test. The twist was that I had to pass the test with an A and I had to pass a certain number of tests in order to receive a letter grade at the end. Fewer tests passed meant lower grades. It was basically up to each of us to decide how hard we were willing to work. Most of us in that track couldn't imagine not getting an A, but there were a few students who put things off too long and couldn't manage that. The unfortunate truth was that at the end there was nothing they could do at that point. When time ran out -- it was over.

Life seems to work the same way.
 
We have a certain amount of time during our lives to do things. Grow up, have families, build a career, have adventures, develop hobbies and whatever else seems important to us. Certain ages and conditions and eventually death ends this.

We assume that everything is arbitrary, or discretionary, but what if it's not?

People talk about Karma and what comes around goes around, but what if it turns out that we have to do it until we get it "right?" What if there were no escape? And what, or who, would make these decisions?

And the ramifications! Right and wrong would become absolutes, but if we didn't know those rules how could we know to do things differently? How long would it take us to evolve and change our perspective, or actions?

If we knew this was happening would we be less reactive? If we knew it was true do we have what it takes to be more thoughtful and caring -- and right?