Well, that seems to make sense, Pat E.
Although I think that everyone is in perhaps a long cycle of enlightenment, then de-evolution, moving backwards, in order to gain more experiences, and then move again towards enlightenment. How many people around here believed that in a past life they were a much more enlightened being than their current incarnation? I think I was a great leader and teacher at one point or another, but was arrogant, and so have been given lives like this one to learn to overcome that.
I also think I have been a bum, too.
I can't recall memories, but I seem to have these 'instincts' that make no sense at all with my experiences in this life. For instance, I have a 'scavenging' instinct. I like to pick through garbage piles (when no one is looking of course) and find little treasures and goodies from there. I have a very sharp eye for finding change and money laying on the ground and street. And I feel this obsession for gathering any fruits and vegetables there are that grow wild or on the streets. It's like I have this 'Bum 101' instinct.