So Brahman is the ultimate reality, and when it manifests it manifests as Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma, Shakti and so forth. Am I correct so far?

I just find issue that when Brahman manifests into different deities, why are they so different from one another? Do they have their own personalities?

It also seems as if it's better understood symbolically. Shiva is the aspect of God that destroys, Vishnu--preserves, Brahma--creates. This symbolic understanding can make some to believe that the gods are symbolic rather than actual physical beings. So are they actual beings? If they are actual being--how is it possible to be so separate from Brahman but so equal?

Am I separate from Brahman, too? But still equal?