People who tell you you're living in the past invariably want you to forget something they did to you.

As temporal beings we have 3 possible foci:

1. To dwell on resolving past events, putting present and future on hold;
2. To avoid both past and future and concentrate on producing the most pleasurable present;
3. To simplify past and present to maximise future returns.

Living in the present is considered enlightened. Living for the future is considered diligent. But living in the past is almost considered a mental illness. Why? When it is the only choice that does not require any self-deception.

Whether you approach your path through reflection, therapy, or physical revenge, you come closer to resolving it. However, it inconveniences people who have a vested interest in your past. And so they throw you chestnuts like 'let go', or 'forgive and forget'.

If Joseph 'forgave and forgot' then his 12 backstabbing brothers would not have learned a valuable lesson. Likewise, Job would not have forced God to show his hand had he simply accepted his friends' interpretation of his past misfortune.

Living in your past is only bad for the other people living there.

Thanks, Mum.