The Past That Haunts

I read a face book post today that mentions the past staying in the past and not coming back and destroying the future.  That's the gist of the post and I couldn't agree more.  But what if your past haunts you? 

My random thought on this is lack of closure.  For whatever reason the past be it a problem a person or just thoughts, needs to be reconciled before it truly is the past.  It's not the past if it invades your present, it's present.  Giving people, problems and thoughts closure will put them to rest once and for all where they belong.  Behind you.

Not an easy task though.  This means having to deal with painful situations that we might not want to face.  We thought we were done but what we really did was ignore it long enough to feel like it's behind us.  What we were really doing was allowing it to fester and grow into something far worse than it started out to be.  Even if you've let go, it hasn't and is back for round two.  Your past will continue to haunt you until you face it head on and deal with it once and for all.

Of course this is far easier when you aren't dealing with another human who can't let the past go.  Problems and thoughts are a little easier but people from your past hell bent on remaining in your present so to have a negative affect on your future are a challenge if not more.

Why do we do this?  Why do we feel the need to re-hash and re-hash past events or situations?  Is it because we don't have the closure we are seeking?  Probably, or maybe we just love the drama of it all.  Some people are not happy unless they have a fair amount of drama in their lives.  The problem with this is it's generally very destructive for both parties.

No matter how you slice it, if your past is haunting you, even if you thought you put it behind you there is unresolved business that needs to be dealt with.  You may think it's silly or trivial and of no real consequence but it's back for a reason and usually not silly or trivial to the issue or person who has re-emerged.

My two cents, re-assess the situation, look the problem, person or thought in the eye and once and for all resolve what ever is causing the haunting.  It will return to your past and this time will stay there.

With much love, light and resolve.
Tammy.