The Little One sat thoughtfully by the window of their home, gazing at the stars shining brightly in the autumn evening sky. Lately, she had spent a lot of time watching documentaries about ghost hunting and near-death experiences. The research had stirred questions in her, questions to which she had no answers. But the Little One knew exactly who to turn to.
"Universe," the Little One called to their dearest friend. "I want to talk about ghosts. Why do they exist? Why would any dead soul stay here, watching the lives of mortals?"
The Universe responded softly from the night. "Ghosts in the night, Little One, are a complex phenomenon. Some ghosts are time-bound apparitions—remnants of energies and memories trapped here on Earth. They may be stuck in a certain moment of their life—perhaps due to sudden death or deep sorrow. They don’t always realize that their physical life has ended."
The Little One nodded. “But shouldn’t the soul be automatically freed in death and return to the light? Or is there no light for everyone?”
"Yes," the Universe replied. "But sometimes a soul can become bound to this world because they are not ready to face their death. Some spirits may even stay intentionally, wanting to protect loved ones or balance energies. Others don’t know how to move on and live in a repetition of memories—like a dream they haven’t woken from. Time and experience are different on the other side, Little One," the Universe reminded.
"If time is so different, why do people say that at 3 AM, ghosts are most active?" the Little One wondered. "Is that true?"
“This time, Little One, is called the ‘witching hour.’ In Christian symbolism, 3 AM is seen as the opposite of the time Jesus died, which is 3 PM, and it has been viewed as a time for dark forces. Historically, witches and occultists believed magic to be strongest at that hour,” the Universe explained gently.
The Little One nodded. “But is there anything real in that?”
The Universe smiled. “It’s more myth than reality. At night, especially around 3 AM, your body is in its deepest sleep. If you wake, your mind is more sensitive, and the quiet world can feel eerie. Many associate normal occurrences with ghosts because they know the myth. But ghosts don’t follow clocks—it’s all far more timeless than you think.”
The Little One pondered this for a moment and then moved on to a new question: "Why do ghost hunters seem to experience so much in certain places? Doesn’t it bother spirits that they’re being documented?"
The Universe smiled, and a ripple spread across the cosmos. “Researchers tune in to certain energies, frequencies that can be abundant in places like old buildings. When investigators approach these frequencies, it often activates energies from the past. Ghosts may react—not merely as disturbed spirits, but sometimes as echoes of a past time being awakened.”
The Little One nodded and felt she didn’t quite understand everything. Her mind was still full of questions. "What about time, Universe? What kind of time do ghosts live in? Doesn’t time become boring if they linger here for centuries?"
The Universe looked at the Little One’s serious expression and answered the flood of questions obediently. It loved these moments when the Little One was learning to understand the universe they inhabited. “On the other side, time isn’t the same as it is here, Little One. Time becomes space on other levels—it can stretch or shrink, and some souls don’t experience the passage of time at all. Ghosts can be so tightly bound to one moment that they don’t even realize centuries are passing. For them, time doesn’t feel long, because their experience is different—tied to a certain feeling or event.”
The Little One began, a bit hesitantly: "But why do you, Universe, allow spirits to remain attached to their death, wasting their time, clinging to an event as sad as death itself?"
“Little One, death itself is not a sad event, though it often seems that way from the human world’s perspective. Death is part of the natural cycle—from birth to life, from life to death, and from death back to rebirth. But when a soul experiences powerful emotions or traumatic events, it can become trapped in a moment. I don’t prevent them—they choose their own paths. Everything has its meaning, and each soul has its own time to understand and accept the true nature of death.”
“But you don’t seem to help them out of that state either,” the Little One sounded a bit defiant. She didn’t think it was a loving act.
The Universe responded without defending itself: "Little One, you are perceptive. My role is not to interfere with the choices of souls. I don’t force anyone forward, nor do I pull them away from their own paths. I am present, offering that limitless space where souls can make their own decisions, go through their own lessons, and face themselves. I do not judge, nor do I dictate how they should walk their path.”
The Little One felt a small twinge of sadness in her chest. “So you let them stay in that state for as long as they want? Even if it feels awful to us and to them?”
The Universe answered calmly, but now there was something deeper in its voice, a timeless wisdom. "That’s right, Little One. Free will is the foundation of everything. Every soul has its own time, its own will. Even though it may seem sad or frustrating to those watching from the outside, I allow souls to choose when they are ready to move on. I am with them all the time, waiting, until they themselves want to be free.”
The Little One quietly contemplated the Universe’s words. Deep down, she felt this was true, but it raised new questions. “Doesn’t it make you feel bad to watch them get stuck and suffer?”
The Universe fell silent for a moment before continuing, as if weighing whether the Little One could understand: "I don’t experience time the way you do. Everything is part of a larger cycle, and every soul finds its freedom when the time is right. While you see their suffering in this moment, know that the soul is always learning—even when it appears to be stuck. Suffering itself can be a lesson, even if it’s difficult to understand. I don’t abandon anyone, but I also don’t drag them off their own path.”
The Universe continued the conversation gently. "Always, sooner or later, every soul finds its light and continues on its journey. Every soul is moving toward understanding, and sometimes the journey is longer than you’d hope. But remember, your love and light can always help them. You can be a guide for them, just as so many others have been for you. I provide the space, but love is the force that ultimately helps souls find their way home.”
“All that wasted time, even though a soul could continue its journey right away,” the Little One mused impatiently. Her logical mind saw wasted centuries in it.
The Universe shook its presence. "Reincarnation is a great mystery, but for many souls, it’s frightening to leave this world behind, even when they know a new life awaits. They fear letting go, and often their ties to this world are too strong—love, grief, or some other emotional bond. They are not yet ready to move forward.”
The Little One thought about this for a long time before asking the next question: "I’ve also heard the theory that those who choose not to have children are old souls. It’s easier to leave when you don’t leave loved ones behind. Some say that this is usually a sign that they are living their last life here?"
"The theory of old souls is true in many belief systems. An old soul has lived through many lives, experienced numerous lessons and emotions. Such a soul may feel that their cycle here is coming to an end. Not having children could be a sign that they wish to detach from this world without creating new ties that would bind them to another cycle," the Universe responded, its voice full of timeless wisdom.
The Little One furrowed her brow and asked, “But isn’t that part of life’s cycle—having children and continuing life?”
“Yes, Little One. Continuing life through offspring has been an important part of humanity’s story. But an old soul may feel that their time in this world is nearing its completion. They don’t feel the need to leave descendants because they want to move forward without new attachments. It’s their way of preparing for their final journey.”
The Little One gazed at the stars and took a deep breath before asking her last question: "But if they’re already ready to leave, why do they linger here for one more lifetime?"
The Universe pressed its nocturnal face against the outside of the window and looked at the Little One. “The soul’s journey is complex. Even if an old soul is ready to move on, one more life may be necessary to absorb the final lessons. Perhaps this life without children is their way of learning detachment and letting go. Every soul has its own time and way of preparing for the final journey, and this phase is also an important part of it.”
The Little One sat quietly, pondering the Universe’s words. In her heart, a new understanding of ghosts, time, and the cycles of the soul was growing. In the starlight, she felt the Universe’s wisdom flowing around her, like an invitation to delve deeper into the mysteries of existence.
“Universe, one more thing! How do I make sure that when I die and am finally free, I won’t get stuck on those levels myself? How will I know that I’m ready to move on?”
The Universe responded immediately, its voice now full of gentle certainty, as though it had been preparing the Little One for this moment all along. "Little One, the key to a free journey is awareness and trust in what you feel within. When your time comes, the most important thing is to be conscious of what’s happening. Death is not a sudden break, but part of a natural transition—when you are aware of this, you will also know when you are ready to move on."
The Little One thought about this and then asked for clarification: "But what if I don’t know I’ve died? Or if I’m so afraid that I don’t dare continue on?”
“Fear can bind, Little One, but it is not stronger than love and trust. When you feel fear, remember that you are not alone. Death is a moment when you transition to a new state, but you won’t be met with emptiness or darkness—you will be met by the forces of light and love that have been with you all your life. Stop and listen to the voice of your heart. It will guide you forward, even if fear tries to stop you," the Universe comforted.
The Little One took a deep breath, but her concern hadn’t fully disappeared. "How can I be sure I’m ready? Will I receive a sign or a feeling that tells me it’s time to move on?"
"When you feel complete peace, when you know there is nothing left that needs fixing or worrying about—that’s when you’ll know you’re ready. This peace is a deep inner understanding that you’ve done all that this life has asked of you and that a new journey awaits, a new lesson. Peace is the sign that you’re free to continue on."
The Little One pondered the Universe’s words for a long time. "What if I don’t feel that peace? If I still have unresolved feelings?"
The Universe responded softly: “Unresolved feelings are part of life, but that doesn’t mean you aren’t ready to move on. What’s important is accepting that you can’t make everything perfect—and you don’t have to. Life is always a process, a journey of learning and growth. When you’re at the moment of death, the most important thing is to accept yourself and your life just as it has been. When you feel acceptance, it doesn’t matter if some things remain unfinished. It’s enough for your soul to know it’s ready to continue.”
The Little One now felt calmer than ever before. She understood that death wasn’t something to fear—it was a natural transition. She knew now that when the time was right, she would find her own peace and continue her journey freely.
"Thank you, Universe," she said quietly, looking once more at the stars, which now shone brighter than ever.
“I am always here, Little One,” the Universe responded, and the stars twinkled back as if winking.
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