--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The past should not be a place where we…" description: "\"The past should not be a place where we live, but something from which we learn.\" — Stormie Omartian" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d83/stormie-omartian-3743_inspirational_the-past-should-not-be-a-place-where-we_333322.png" --- # The past should not be a place where we live, but… ![“The past should not be a place where we live, but something from which we learn.” quote by Stormie Omartian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d83/stormie-omartian-3743_inspirational_the-past-should-not-be-a-place-where-we_333322.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d83/stormie-omartian-3743_inspirational_the-past-should-not-be-a-place-where-we_333322.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d83/stormie-omartian-3743_inspirational_the-past-should-not-be-a-place-where-we_333322.png) > “The past should not be a place where we live, but something from which we learn.” [Stormie Omartian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stormie-omartian/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. We should treat past experiences as lessons, not as a permanent home for our identity. **In simple terms:** Learn from the past, don’t live in it. Key Takeaway Use past insights to shape future actions. Themes reflection growth learning Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - personal development - therapy - education - career planning Key Concepts psychology memory self-awareness Questions to Reflect On - How can you transform a painful memory into a useful lesson? - What habits keep you stuck in past narratives? A Different Perspective Past cannot be changed, only interpreted. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [“The past is a place we can visit but cannot live there.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-izad/the-past-is-a-place-we-can-visit-but-cannot-live-there/) Sam Izad > [“...but like Mama say, sometimes we got to live it out before we learn.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathleen-grissom/but-like-mama-say-sometimes-we-got-to-live-it-out-before-we-learn/) [Kathleen Grissom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathleen-grissom/) > [The past is the place we view the present from as much as the other way around.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-buechner/the-past-is-the-place-we-view-the-present-from-as-much-as-the-other/) [Frederick Buechner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-buechner/) > [“Our past can control today and tomorrow only to the degree we allow it. The past should not be a place where we dwell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-augustine/our-past-can-control-today-and-tomorrow-only-to-the-degree-we-allow/) [Sue Augustine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-augustine/) > [One of the reasons for going back into the past is that it's almost the only place that there's any drama.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-towne/one-of-the-reasons-for-going-back-into-the-past-is-that-it-s-almost/) [Robert Towne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-towne/) > [Load up your mind with pictures capturing your preferred tomorrow. Put the remembrances of the past in a place where they won't block your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-carter/load-up-your-mind-with-pictures-capturing-your-preferred-tomorrow-put/) [Gary Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-carter/) > [“For anyone who wanted to throw away his watch, along with his past, this was the place.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peggy-kopman-owens/for-anyone-who-wanted-to-throw-away-his-watch-along-with-his-past/) [Peggy Kopman-Owens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peggy-kopman-owens/) > [“The past is not a place I like to visit. This project is forcing me to go there, to tidy up my thoughts. I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bono/the-past-is-not-a-place-i-like-to-visit-this-project-is-forcing-me-to/) [Bono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bono/) > [The past is a place you can learn from, not a place you want to live.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-robbins/the-past-is-a-place-you-can-learn-from-not-a-place-you-want-to-live/) [Tony Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-robbins/) > [Sometimes you have to find the good in goodbye. The past is a place of reference, not a place of residence. Getting over the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/sometimes-you-have-to-find-the-good-in-goodbye-the-past-is-a-place-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“looking off at the past as though it were a place one might still get to”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cathie-pelletier/looking-off-at-the-past-as-though-it-were-a-place-one-might-still-get/) [Cathie Pelletier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cathie-pelletier/) > [The Past is a Place of 'REFERENCE'à Not a Place of RESIDENCE.!!!!à KEEP IT MOVING!!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-past-is-a-place-of-reference-a-not-a-place-of-residence-a-keep-it/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“People from the past belong to the past not to the place which you're heading”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/people-from-the-past-belong-to-the-past-not-to-the-place-which-you-re/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The past is still, for us, a place that is not safely settled.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ondaatje/the-past-is-still-for-us-a-place-that-is-not-safely-settled/) [Michael Ondaatje](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ondaatje/) > [“The past is a place of reference, not a place of residence; the past is a place of learning, not a place of living.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-t-bennett/the-past-is-a-place-of-reference-not-a-place-of-residence-the-past-is/) [Roy T. Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-t-bennett/) ## More by Stormie Omartian > [We don’t want to limit what God can do in our children by trying to parent them alone—Trust God to take care of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stormie-omartian/we-don-t-want-to-limit-what-god-can-do-in-our-children-by-trying-to/) [Stormie Omartian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stormie-omartian/) > [“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. JEREMIAH 29:13”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stormie-omartian/you-will-seek-me-and-find-me-when-you-seek-me-with-all-your-heart/) [Stormie Omartian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stormie-omartian/) > [Integrity is not what you APPEAR to be when all eyes are on you. It is who you ARE when no one is looking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stormie-omartian/integrity-is-not-what-you-appear-to-be-when-all-eyes-are-on-you-it-is/) [Stormie Omartian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stormie-omartian/) > [Don’t be afraid when you have to pray fervently because of your circumstances. God is wanting to do something great through you!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stormie-omartian/don-t-be-afraid-when-you-have-to-pray-fervently-because-of-your/) [Stormie Omartian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stormie-omartian/) > [“He will put you in situations where you absolutely must have a miracle. The reason He does that is because He wants you to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stormie-omartian/he-will-put-you-in-situations-where-you-absolutely-must-have-a/) [Stormie Omartian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stormie-omartian/) > [“The quality of your relationships will determine the quality of your life. And this is something worth praying about.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stormie-omartian/the-quality-of-your-relationships-will-determine-the-quality-of-your/) [Stormie Omartian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stormie-omartian/) > [Allow yourself to be possessed by God by receiving Jesus, and you will never be possessed by anything else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stormie-omartian/allow-yourself-to-be-possessed-by-god-by-receiving-jesus-and-you-will/) [Stormie Omartian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stormie-omartian/) > [“It’s the best of jobs. It’s the most difficult of jobs. It can bring you the greatest joy. It can cause the greatest pain.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stormie-omartian/it-s-the-best-of-jobs-it-s-the-most-difficult-of-jobs-it-can-bring/) [Stormie Omartian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stormie-omartian/) > [“The most important thing is not to get what we want in prayer, but to accomplish what God wants.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stormie-omartian/the-most-important-thing-is-not-to-get-what-we-want-in-prayer-but-to/) [Stormie Omartian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stormie-omartian/) > [Talking to God should be part of every aspect of life, in times of peace as well as in every battle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stormie-omartian/talking-to-god-should-be-part-of-every-aspect-of-life-in-times-of/) [Stormie Omartian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stormie-omartian/) > [“I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stormie-omartian/i-am-persuaded-that-neither-death-nor-life-nor-angels-nor/) [Stormie Omartian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stormie-omartian/) > [“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. JOHN 15:12 Dear Jesus, help me to love others the way that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stormie-omartian/my-command-is-this-love-each-other-as-i-have-loved-you-john-15-12/) [Stormie Omartian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stormie-omartian/) > [There are so many things we do not appreciate in our life until we recognize God's love for us in them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stormie-omartian/there-are-so-many-things-we-do-not-appreciate-in-our-life-until-we/) [Stormie Omartian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stormie-omartian/) > [“I Don’t Even Like Him—How Can I Pray for Him? Have you ever been so mad at your husband that the last thing you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stormie-omartian/i-don-t-even-like-him-how-can-i-pray-for-him-have-you-ever-been-so/) [Stormie Omartian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stormie-omartian/) > [“You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stormie-omartian/you-are-of-god-little-children-and-have-overcome-them-because-he-who/) [Stormie Omartian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stormie-omartian/) [Explore all 118 Stormie Omartian quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stormie-omartian/) ## More Inspirational quotes > [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [We talk to God--that is prayer; God talks to us--that is inspiration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-emilie-cady/we-talk-to-god-that-is-prayer-god-talks-to-us-that-is-inspiration/) [H. Emilie Cady](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-emilie-cady/) > [You cant be controlling in improv.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-walsh/you-cant-be-controlling-in-improv/) [Matt Walsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-walsh/) > [The man who can master his time can master nearly anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/the-man-who-can-master-his-time-can-master-nearly-anything/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [You'll seldom experience regret for anything that you've done. It is what you haven't done that will torment you. The message, therefore, is clear.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-ll-seldom-experience-regret-for-anything-that-you-ve-done-it-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Just understand that the good that you want is already here. All you have to do is get in harmony with it. And you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-proctor/just-understand-that-the-good-that-you-want-is-already-here-all-you/) [Bob Proctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-proctor/) > [“If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up the men to gather wood, divide the work, and give orders. Instead, teach them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoine-de-saint-exup-ry/if-you-want-to-build-a-ship-don-t-drum-up-the-men-to-gather-wood/) [Antoine de Saint-Exupéry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoine-de-saint-exup-ry/) > [Obviously, if you don't love life, you can't enjoy an oyster.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-clark/obviously-if-you-don-t-love-life-you-can-t-enjoy-an-oyster/) [Eleanor Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-clark/) > [It's not the method, it's the mindset.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-gilbert/it-s-not-the-method-it-s-the-mindset/) [Andy Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-gilbert/) > [It's a hard thing to describe. It's just this sense that you got something to say.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonah-lehrer/it-s-a-hard-thing-to-describe-it-s-just-this-sense-that-you-got/) [Jonah Lehrer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonah-lehrer/) > [Too much familiarity breeds contempt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/too-much-familiarity-breeds-contempt/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [We never really perceive what color is physically!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josef-albers/we-never-really-perceive-what-color-is-physically/) [Josef Albers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josef-albers/) > [Politics is not an issue whether you like or dislike , but every citizen must involve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khem-veasna/politics-is-not-an-issue-whether-you-like-or-dislike-but-every/) [Khem Veasna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khem-veasna/) > [God reveals Himself through surprises.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/god-reveals-himself-through-surprises/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [Never underestimate the power of the human mind to believe what it wants to believe, no matter the conflicting evidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-herbert/never-underestimate-the-power-of-the-human-mind-to-believe-what-it/) [Brian Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-herbert/) [Browse all 114,561 Inspirational quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The past should not be a place where we live, but something from which we learn.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Stormie Omartian" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stormie-omartian/the-past-should-not-be-a-place-where-we-live-but-something-from-which/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Inspirational" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stormie-omartian/the-past-should-not-be-a-place-where-we-live-but-something-from-which/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d83/stormie-omartian-3743_inspirational_the-past-should-not-be-a-place-where-we_333322.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d83/stormie-omartian-3743_inspirational_the-past-should-not-be-a-place-where-we_333322.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d83/stormie-omartian-3743_inspirational_the-past-should-not-be-a-place-where-we_333322.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The past should not be a place where we live, but something from which we learn.” — Stormie Omartian", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Stormie Omartian", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stormie-omartian/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The past should not be a...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stormie-omartian/the-past-should-not-be-a-place-where-we-live-but-something-from-which/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stormie-omartian/the-past-should-not-be-a-place-where-we-live-but-something-from-which/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```