this is very true. i think the “I am” part is loose for a lot of people here. what does “I am” mean? the thoughts you experience? the actions you take? the conscious awareness of existing? if we were unaware of things but still living, we would be exactly what our experiences in the past made us to be. because we are aware of things sometimes, those awarenesses reveal secondary options of action. because of our desire to sometimes not be a certain way, we bring awareness to that part and can see obvious solutions and choices that are better than the ones we’ve been making without awareness.

it’s pretty cool to think about. and not so easily summed up. and i think this quote needs much more context since it’s not clear at all where the quote is being applied.

i always think it’s applied to people trying to cope with having a terrible past and not letting they define them. well, i think it most certainly does define you in a way. but so does awareness to those issues. so imo it’s all good. just be aware of it and choices present themselves where they can. like a choice vacuum. once awareness sets in, choices are possible and fill the vacuum of feeling like there’s no other choice. because quickly you are able to see room for them.