Looking at one's past

What joy can someone have when they continually look to see what their past is doing? Are they thinking, damn that could have been me? Are they afraid that a big secret will be disclosed? Are they waiting for the fuck up so they can jump in? I can understand sitting by yourself reflecting back and looking at the mistakes, or not mistakes, and think about where you are now but to some, give it up. Is it that important to continually look, think, reflect? Some pasts want to stay just that-the past, not the present, certainly not the future. Some just want that chapter of their lives closed and remained closed. Some are just trying to finish those chapters to move onto the next.