Perhaps some of the confusion is in this part You wrote "It's just saying that what we are comes from where we've been, and that goes for everyone."?

As for me and my Belief system I Believe Life is a continuum. That is; Each of Us, while here *Now*, were somewhere else before here, and we will move on to somewhere else after here. It is so very True that while one may travel anywhere and may leave anyone else behind, the One one can never leave behind is oneSelf. I Believe what You say is correct "what we are comes from where we've been". BUT the issue in this discovery may be in "where we've been"? Since that is not *Just Here*? And so by experiences considering Who and What we are culmatively (not just experiences Here) and how conciously one may have access to that information within themSelves, likely determines a more exact answer. We All have our own Spirit, though connected to the Collective, Still One's Own. And then also Believing Most (if not All) of Us do the best we can to take the Knowledge and Lessons from Our Individual Journeys forward with us as we each accumilate and Grow what is each of Us ongoing. I Believe we are Born Here with what we came with, and that Grows further through this Life experience here. Each of Us Is Dominant, Submissive, Slave, Power Shifter, or a combination of these. We are Born Here with What We Are, but What we Are Grows. I am sure damage, and/or bad or hard experiences or Lessons form Us by Our perceptions of those experienses, responses, and what next action We Choose, just as more Positive Lessons/Experiences do. Kind of like *You Are What You Eat*. Your Nature is Your Own. AND, I Believe Your Own Choosing.

I Am Slave, that is My Nature. I was Born Here as Slave. Always Loving, Nurturing, Serving, Those whom I come in contact with. (Not a Knowledge about mySelf easily attained obviously as I spent much of My Life Here with people inquiring of me, me inquiring of mySelf, and Living with the constant accusations of "You Give too much?" "Why do you keep Giving to (insert name) when (insert name) does/did (insert thing)?" "WHAT is wrong with YOU/Me?". The so very Simple Answer ringing in my Heart and Ears, however complex it was Understanding it> *Because it is What is Needed!*. It is not/was not under threat or damage sustained that I Am Who I Am, but for My Own Love and desire to Serve, to Give, to Heal, to Please. That Is My Nature.

Does this help at all?

Respectfully