Hamlet is my favorite Shakespearean play (maybe my favorite story ever, actually). A tragedy, it does not end happily; in fact, most characters are killed after miserably making poor decisions that lead to their demise. Why then, does my Disney-Princess-Shirley-Temple-American-Girl-doll personality love Hamlet so much?
Because it is a mirror to what I consider one of my greatest flaws: overthinking.
My mother likes to say that my brain never shuts off, and it’s the truth. I am constantly playing out scenarios in my head—nothing of any significance, just thinking—pondering, really. Most of the time, it’s fun to be in my own imagination, but unfortunately, anxiety will strike and I will exhaust myself trying to figure out what the hell I’m supposed to do.
…which is precisely the thing that causes Hamlet’s downfall…
In these throngs of despair, I like to turn to my dear pal Polonius, the king’s advisor in Hamlet. Bestowing advice to his son, Laertes, Polonius tells him the simple, yet poignant phrase: “To thine own self be true.” Modern translation: trust yourself.
My father has repeated this wisdom time and time again, which was a favorite of his great aunt (my namesake). But it’s more than just going with your gut; “to thine own self be true” is an offering to God’s grand vision. We are not merely accepting that our own wits will serve us well: as Christians, we relinquish our need for control in order to serve God.
Jeremiah 29:11 says, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'”
Why overthink when we can rest in the promise of hope? Our future is prosperous if we follow Christ, so we may as well press pause on overthinking and be true to ourselves…and our savior.
Food for thought: What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Rachel Fisher 