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To dwell is to live in, act upon, or refer to. The action is a cause and effect of life that remains as a reference book to identity, problem solving, a reference point, defence mechanism and commonly quoted as our hard drive.

If an issue from the past is prevalent in a given situation, then there is probably good reason to investigate it as there maybe issues that need to be dealt with before we can move on in that field.

Take for instance an argument between a husband and wife, or life long friends. Inevitably an issue is bantered from the past with "but you did so and so." or, "why did you do so and so?" It is not another avenue for an extended argument taking you away from the initial issue, it is a reference to something that has not obviously been addressed properly and the questioning party needs answers for that before they can move on. Until these issues are dealt with the arguments will continue. We cannot change the past, but we can certainly change how it sometimes comes back and bites us with honest answers.

To be told that we dwell on the past is really a form of escape from acknowledging the real issue that we have either not come to terms with, or accepted the reasons on that point. Sometimes when we find we are dwelling on something ask yourself why? What did I not learn from that situation? What did I miss? Or what is it I will not admit to, or they want me to admit to? Inevitably it is, you will find, something within you that is amiss.

Hypothetically though the question is out of context; as all life is a reflection of the past creating a new future with modifications and reconstruction of the building blocks formed by what we deem past actions. It is a necessary part of life and life cannot move on without it. Every reference book you pick up, every search on your computer, every question you ask yourself or your partner/associate is prompted or revealed by past actions.

Unfortunately we cannot escape history. There are no personal significance's or insignificance's which can spare anyone of us as we try to think and move forward with new thoughts. The quiet past is inadequate to the thunderous present only because the present yet has no answers.

From past reflection I can see it is something we must accept as a very necessary part of life. As an analogy the past is bit like a push bike, the rear wheel is always behind us but without it we cannot move forward.

Learn more about this author, Paul Bovis.
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