You glorify the past when the future dries up.
These are the words Bono sang in God Part II. Like I need to repeat this statement. You're all intellgent people.
I believe that no matter what has happened in the past, or present, the future is wide open to virtually ANY possiblity. If you give in to this hope and faith, you're doomed to fail at anything you set your heart to do. All of us have had unique experiences that determine where we are at the present. We know that the past is significant in respect to where we are now, and thus the present. The future is wide open. We have, to quote the Dixie Chicks, "wide open spaces". Despite the hatred most of U2 fans have of country music I believe that this concept is especially relevant to the question. We all have wide open spaces that will go which ever way we wish.
Have a good day, and remember that the world CAN be changed by a few.