Our past doesn't define who we are or our future. However, it's part of our identity. People you have met, experiences you have had, and lessons you have learned. Forgetting the past condemns you to remain stagnant, forgetting the past is to deny a part of yourself and in the end, return to it. You forget your past consequently you return to it. Recognizing it and facing its part of moving forward, of growing.
It doesn't mean going back to those things that tie us to the past. Instead, it's about recognizing it as part of your identity, but not as what defines your future, because the future is built by being aware of the past, of the mistakes you made but instead of forgetting them, you learned from them and that's what makes you who you are today. Your essence is reflected in the choices that you make and are shaping your future but those choices wouldn't be possible without the wisdom that you got from past experiences or decisions.