We do think about the future and the way things are today when we reninimiss about the past.
There are many quality about the past that are in fact far better than the present or prospective future as things are now. Such as families, virtues, liberty, and sold economic growth.
It is true that the past also held some negative things, but it is not to them negative things that we look but to the positive in dreaming of the future.
Learn about the past Rev if you ever do find you have a serous desire for the future. For Idle thoughts do not build civilizations. Time tested plans and actions form the foundation of the future.
I have usually put it starker terms. I usually pit it thus: Those who forget the past, have little, if any future...
the infowarrior