Why Can't We Put Past Relationships To Rest?

We never try to bring flowers back to life when they have died. We thank them for the beauty they have graced us with and allow them to rest in peace. So why do we insist on resuscitating the pain of past relationships that clearly withered on the vine long ago?

The recent comments made by Brad Pitt regarding his marriage with Jennifer Aniston are a perfect example of yanking a sleeping dog's ear. The marriage ended years ago and if it was painful for us to watch as their fans, it was no doubt an excruciating experience for them to live through.

More from YourTango: 8 Signs You Need To Break Up With Your Ex

"It became very clear to me that I was intent on trying to find a movie about an interesting life, but I wasn't living an interesting life myself." Pitt continues, "I think that my marriage had something to do with it. Trying to pretend the marriage was something it wasn't."

Again, why pour cold water on a sleeping dog? Especially a 200 pound Presa Canario.

The longer I practice the more I'm convinced it's not the original wound that does us in, where healing is concerned, it's subjecting ourselves to the morbid task of reliving it over and over again. Once is enough already!

When those steel doors of closure slam shut behind us, let's put a double dead bolt on that baby and keep it shut! We work hard to turn those emotional corners on the long arduous road to wholeness and sanity. And we should take great care to make sure that’s a one way trip for everyone concerned.

More from YourTango: Is Your Partner Stalling Your Career?

My grandfather told me I should never be concerned about ghost in the darkness because fear brings them to life. Why feed the ghosts that haunt us with any attention whatsoever? They had their chance in the land of the living and we've sent them off to rest in peace.

Let the sleeping dogs in your life lie, and they will be all too happy to leave you alone.