The past is all events that happened before the present.
Some may be have been caused by us.
Most were not caused by us

All creation; the universe, the earth and life has indirectly influenced
us to be as we are now.
Initially setting our geography nationality, heritage, economic status
and social status.

From our parents are set our genetic make up
Also Our parents, teachers, siblings and other acquaintance influenced our religion, politics, values, ideas and way of thinking

The past may have given us advantages:
    - Genetic advantages
    - Economic advantages
    - Social advantages
    - Or any number of advantages

The past may have given us disadvantages as well. What is is.

However the past is "The Past"
We can learn from the past
We can take advantage of the past
We can choose what we want to keep of the past
We can choose what we want to throw out of the past
We can choose to make a tool of the past
We can choose to make a crutch of the past
We can choose to make a excuse of the past
We can choose to be controlled by the past
We can choose to live in the past.
We can choose anything.

However the past controls our present no more than, for example, a movie we seen or a Book we read.
Our life starts "Now!"
Our future "Pasts" starts "Now!"
Our "Future" starts "Now!"
Our present is "Now!"
Our lessons from the past is "Now!"
Our past is only how we allow it influences us "Now!"

Our present is in our own hands.
Our future is in our own hands.
Our destiny is in our own hands.
Our success is in our own hands.
Our failure is in our own hands.
Our choices are in our own hands.
Our life is in our own hands.