The thing about reflecting upon the past is that we will measure those points as progress or disasters in our life. Progress is meant as something successful in that we hold on to as something tangible even if its just a mnemonic item. Disasters as meant as something we failed at or lost, often is measured in lost time and effort of something that we could have spent doing something else to be progressive. We are left with basically nothing of value or worth of anything to be salvaged from.
Our past defines us, by the actions and choices we have made and chosen. It identifies us by how we made use of those situations to choose a better path or choose a path of debauchery or corruptions that debases our humanity. The personalities and characteristic s that we associates ourselves with, establishes our behavior and interactions at the present and forecasts our future choices and actions. Like they say, bad habits are hard to break.
We should not use our past to hold us down or hold us back. Sometimes bad things happens to good people. We should not try to relive our past as if it's an escape, a distraction from the harsh reality. We should have a mind of maturation as we age in life. We should use our past to gain wisdom and experiences to make better judgment. We are still on our journey of life, and our experiences in life should encompass all that life has to offer us.