Karma

In simple terms, Karma in Hindu belief is a sum of everything you've done, are doing and will do. Past deeds create the present and future.

Basically it's cause and effect for lives.

If your life is the effect, what was the cause? What things did you do in a past life that caused your present life?

Feel free to embellish your life or make up a character. If you make up a character, stretch yourself and try to avoid the extremes. It would be very easy to picture a miserable life lived by someone who had been a bad person in a previous life. But what about a person who's life is neither blissful nor hellish? What did Harry Potter do in a previous life? Squidward? Indiana Jones? Marty McFly?