Letters to Serena – Part 1: To Be or Not to Be – Finding Your True Self in Faith

Inspired by Shakespeare - My 1st Letter to Serena

I was sitting on the sofa, browsing through the set of Shakespeare's books for kids that I used to read with my granddaughter. Nostalgia filled my heart like a fresh breeze on a spring morning when my precious princess, now a wise teenager, came back from school. She looked tired and anxious. One glance at her was enough for me to know something was on her mind.

Later in the evening, as we sat together, she finally shared her thoughts. I just listened. I was there for her, present in the moment, offering the silence she needed. But now, as I sit with my pen in hand, I feel the urge to write her a note—not to give advice, but to share a perspective.

My dear Serena,

You asked me why life sometimes feels like a script written by someone else. Why does it seem like we are playing roles instead of truly being ourselves? You also mentioned Hamlet’s famous words:

"To be, or not to be?"

Let me tell you what I see. There is a great difference between simply living and truly being.

To live is to exist, to go through the motions, to follow routines, and to meet expectations. Many people live, but not all of them are. Not all of them truly embrace who they are meant to be.

To be means to wake up to the truth of who you are.

To be means to wake up to the truth of who you are. It means to stop hiding behind masks, to stop chasing approval, and instead to listen to the quiet voice inside you—the voice that knows your worth, your gifts, and your purpose.

This is not easy. In the Bible, Jesus said:

“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10)

He didn’t mean just breathing and surviving. He meant a life filled with truth, love, and meaning.

Awakening Begins with Finding Your True Self

The great psychologist Carl Jung once wrote:

“Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakens.”

Many people look outside at what others expect, at who they "should" be. But awakening happens when you dare to look within, to face both the light and the shadow inside you, and to accept it all.

A wise woman, Alicja Lenczewska, wrote in her spiritual conversations:

“The more you are in Me, the more you are yourself.”

She meant that when we let go of fear and trust God, we find our truest selves. We don’t have to prove anything to the world. We don’t have to be perfect. We just have to be real, honest, and open to love.

So, my dear Serena, when you ask, "To be, or not to be?", you are asking something much deeper than Hamlet ever did. You are asking whether you should exist in the shadows of expectations or step into the light of your true self.

This journey of finding your true self is not about becoming someone new, but awakening to the one you already are in God.

And my answer is this:

Be. Fully, bravely, beautifully. Not because the world demands it, but because you were made for it.

With all my love,

Grandma

🌸 P.S. Though Letters to Serena: Faith and True Intimacy are written in the form of a letter to a granddaughter, they are meant for every young woman seeking love that is true, tender, and rooted in faith. The style is a creative choice to offer warmth, wisdom, and a personal tone—but the message belongs to you, wherever you are on your journey.

🌸 The name Serena was chosen with care. It comes from the Latin serenus, meaning calm, clear, and peaceful—qualities that blossom in a soul rooted in love and faith.

Serena is also linked to the cosmos flower, a delicate bloom symbolizing harmony, balance, and beauty in the midst of chaos. In naming this series after her, I wanted to speak not only to one girl, but to every soul seeking peace in who they are, and courage in who they’re becoming.

🌸If this letter spoke to your heart, you might also enjoy the next part of Serena’s journey:

 On Love, Intimacy, and True Romance. Part 2

🌸And in the final letter, Who You Must Be to Attract True Love, Part 3

I share thoughts on becoming the woman your heart longs to be.

🌸🌿 Whether you are a Cassia or a Serena, your journey matters.

If this reflection stirred something in you, I invite you to explore more. Read the Letters to Serena and Letters to Cassia series—written for hearts like yours, longing for depth, purpose, and personal encounter with Christ.

👉 Read the Letters Series and take the next step in your walk with Him.

Letters to Cassia - A Tribute to Spiritual Friendship & Meaning of the Cassia Flower

🌸 Words travel further when shared with love.

🩷 If this resonated with you, pass it on.