IMO: We are who we are as the result of nature/nurture/pneumature.
In other words: as the result of nature/nurture/plus our spirit-based character.
This explains why people with good character can, despite serious setbacks, turn on the power of enthusiasm (which literally means god-filled) and optimism and thus turn their scars into stars; give them a lemon and they will make lemonade. Helen Keller, though blind and deaf, with the help a spiritually devoted companion/teacher, went on to become a great human being and writer. Beethoven wrote some of his greatest music after he became deaf. Name some names of people, that come to your mind, who went on to become great human and humane beings after they overcame great handicaps.
Christians tell us that Jesus turned the cross into a symbol salvation and resurrection. Come to think of it, not a bad goal regardless of what one believes about religion.
