If you stand for nothing, Burr, what'll you fall for? | The Odyssey Online
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Arts Entertainment

8 Life Lessons 'Hamilton' Taught Us Through Their On-Stage Performances

How "the ten-dollar Founding Father without a father, got a lot farther by working a lot harder."

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8 Life Lessons 'Hamilton' Taught Us Through Their On-Stage Performances

When I learned about the Founding Fathers in my American history classes prior to coming to college, Alexander Hamilton was the least memorable. Sure, he was important for... something... who was he again? However, since the first performance of the Broadway show "Hamilton" in 2015, Alexander Hamilton has regained his fame and become much more distinguished to say the least.

Thanks to Lin-Manuel Miranda, Hamilton's legacy has been kept alive and I now have learned some valuable lessons from this "obnoxious, arrogant, loudmouth bother."

Talk Less.

"Smile more."

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When building relationships, you must keep your ears and mind open. Giving another person your full, undivided attention (put your phone down!) is the fastest, easiest and most surefire way to make friends. Eye contact and turning your body to face the person you're talking to are both good ways to show you're listening.

But another way to show you're truly hearing and understanding the other person is to validate what they say ("That must be so hard") and to ask follow up questions ("Why do you think that happened?"). The key to creating a concrete foundation to any relationship is to be a friend rather than make a friend.

If you stand for nothing, Burr, what'll you fall for?

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This line serves as a reminder to be passionate in your opinions and beliefs. Everyone has a voice and the right to use it to express what they believe. Use it. By standing by and doing nothing when you see something wrong being done right before your eyes is worse than actually doing the wrong in my opinion. Because at least the person who is doing the wrong thing is doing something rather than just sit on their hands and wait for it.

Not everyone will agree with what I'm saying, but I'm saying it anyway because that is how change gets started. By doing it. And, as Hamilton points out, if you do nothing, you will only ever be a follower, never able to stand up and do what needs to be done. There will always be someone that drags you around and walks all over you. What will you choose? Will you rise up and take your shot? Or will you wait for it?

When you're living on your knees, you rise up

"Tell your brother that he's gotta rise up, tell your sister that she's gotta rise up."

www.broadwayinchicago.com

Just a general reminder to keep going and never let go. You need to rise up in the face of adversity and hardships. You may get knocked down, but it is always possible to get back up and persevere. Sometimes that looks like pushing for social change and making sure your voice is heard. Sometimes it looks like just holding your head up and staying silent but proud. Whatever it looks like, you can always rise up to be the best person you can if you really want to. A little bit of courage, some motivation, and a big dream is all you need to accomplish anything your heart desires.

Raise a glass to freedom, something they can never take away

"No matter what they tell you."

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Even if someone has a gun to your head and is telling you to jump, you still have autonomy. No one can control your body. No body can own and enslave your thoughts. Your body and your mind are your responsibility and nothing can ever change that. Sure, there may be people who throughout history and even today who have claimed ownership over other humans, but nothing could be further from the truth. Never let anyone tell you they can take your freedom - because the moment you believe it, they have.

Life doesn't discriminate between the sinners and the saints

"It takes and it takes and it takes."

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Whenever life throws you lemons throw them back harder because those same lemons were once thrown at someone else who did the same thing. Tragedy affects every age, every race, every religion, every sexual orientation. No one is exempt from the difficulties in life, but as mentioned earlier that doesn't mean we should lay down and take it. You still have the freedom to keep going. Be comforted by the fact that someone has been where you are and felt what you're feeling. You are not alone.

I am the one thing in life I can control

"I am inimitable, I am an original."

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In case no one has told you today: you are special and you are loved. Life will most surely test you in the most unimaginable ways. There will be days where you feel it can't get any worse only to find life holding a shovel and ready to dig your grave. At that point you have two choices: have a bad attitude about it - which includes giving up or being bitter - or you can take a positive approach.

The only person who can decide which outlook you will take is you. You are the only one who can decide what you do and that is all you can decide. You can't control anyone or anything else. It is important to realize that because the more you try to control everything else around you, the less control you have over yourself.

Look around, look around at how lucky we are to be alive right now

www.themarysue.com

We're alive at the same time as Lin-Manuel Miranda, how much better could it get? But in all seriousness, the world is a better place with you in it. There is so much happening in the world today that you are blessed to be a part of. We are literally living in the future with all the technology and innovation and progress we are making as a population.

Every month there is a new and better phone released it seems like! Not to mention that the world needs you. You have so much potential in you and an amazing purpose to fulfill. So get out there and follow your dreams because there isn't a better time to do it!

You have no control: who lives, who dies, who tells your story

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The ultimate reason to always be kind: you have no control over the legacy you leave. Once you die, your story is in the hands of those you leave behind. Make sure they have a good story to tell. If you want your impact and your name to last, make sure that you make yourself memorable to everyone you meet and I promise that your memory will live on. You don't need to be rich or famous. All it takes is being kind and leaving a good mark on someone's life. They will pass down your story and your name. While money and fame sound nice, they don't guarantee your legacy nearly as much as a good deed.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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