The past influencing the future

Can your past influence your future? I once heard a friend say she will never do anything to alter her future but will just let destiny influence it. Do you control your future, does your past influence it or does the present help you to create a better future? It is said "You cannot change the past or the future. Instead of changing the past and future what you do is create them." But does your past create a continuous cycle for your future? Does your family history influence the life your children will have? Or do you create a future by preparing your present? We may honor ourselves by honoring our past,however, we cannot let the past cloud our perception of the future.