well i think the exact opposite. but it’s a nice sentiment.

we are because of what happened to us. that’s why we sneeze the way we do. believes the things we grew up learning. act the way we do.

to choose who to become. what does that even mean? if we choose to become something isn’t that part of the past after that something is achieved? so if we chose to become something it’s in the past. so we are therefore not that?

i get that maybe in certain circumstances, having had a shitty life doesn’t mean you are shitty. but it’s because of those experiences that we decide to not be shitty. if we had a good life and are good, we would remain good and our past assisted in that goodness.

so it may be a targeted quote for people who are not where they want to be. but that’s still them. accepting it is productive imo. then using that awareness to guide future actions. but it’s still you. and because of the past you couldn’t be any other way. so might as well accept it. then use that to go forward with consciousness.