Some Native Americans believe that we are here to learn something and to teach something. And our souls have a choice to take this life or not, knowing how it will play out. From that, I think a soul could choose a hard life knowing it will teach someone else. Once the soul inabits a body, though, it does not remember what will happen in the life it chose (usually, anyway, although some seem to remember what's coming.)
_________________________
Well-behaved women rarely make history. - Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
http://ruthrainwater.wordpress.com/
http://newbeginningsgratitudejournal.wordpress.com/
http://sablewings.wordpress.com/