Does the past shape the future...?

When I say shape, I mean it in varying contexts.... Shape / affect or the likes of it.
It is not really a debate or a discussion, just my very random thoughts creating havoc yet again.
I would have liked to have thought that the past cannot affect the future...that it can be left...in the past exactly where it belongs. But there are times in your present life when something will bear resemblence on the past in one way or another. Despite thinking the past can't affect the future, it does in some ways..because you may think for example that I will not make the same mistake as say my parent did (before you start making assumptions and jumping to conclusions I am in no way reflecting this example to my own parents), which means that as you move forward in to the future the past is with you for that is the only way you can either not make the same mistake or end up much like your past, should your fate end up in a such a way, God save us..
A little heated conversation earlier today resulted in the usual trip down memory lane except it wasn't the pleasantries. Hmm why is it so that we are all so intent on digging up the past anytime something not so nice is going on in the present?
Now I have some lovely memories of the past. But I also have some really crap memories that are sometimes determined to cause a nightmare to my present (if I should allow it)!
Without going into too much personal details (though I am pretty sure some would jump at the chance to cash in on some dirt!) the sense of security a child feels throughout its childhood and upbringing is truly amazing yet rewarding more so on the parent than the child. So any lack in this element is bound to affect a person at any given point in their life?!
My point is that even if the past affects you to a degree, you can control what you will do about it so on this day when I was reminded of my past for a second I was ready to wallow in pitying myself and going on a blame rampage but then I soon realised that 'so what if you had some crap moments in your childhood, your older and wiser now, why let it affect you..of course its a memory but it doesn't have to be THE memory to lead your life.
Well that was my random post of the century :D
I think we can most definitely learn from the past, but I don't necessarily think we need to let the past shape our future.
May the best be with us all -:)
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