Genius actor, playwright, composer, rapper and writer Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote the Broadway musical to tell the story of the forgotten founding father, Alexander Hamilton, through hip-hop, rap and multi-racial performers. Whenever I inevitably lost motivation during my first college semester, I turned to my new-found obsession and was inspired by the beautiful combination of the life of an incredible individual and the ingenious lyrics of another.
1. "There's a million things I haven't done, but just you wait." ~Alexander Hamilton, "Alexander Hamilton"
2. "Look around, look around at how lucky we are to be alive right now." ~Elizabeth Schuyler, "The Schuyler Sisters"
3. "I am the one thing in life I can control" ~Aaron Burr, "Wait For It"
Ask anyone close to me — I am a control freak. This is sometimes a great thing; I am very independent and put tons of effort into everything I do. I seek to present perfection ... or at the very least my very best. This quality has most definitely benefited those who have been in group projects with me because I will shoulder 100% of the work if it means getting a good grade and getting things done my way. But this desire to be the puppeteer does not work in a world where I am the puppet. Remembering that God is holding the reigns and that there are countless factors of life that I cannot control is petrifying. All I can control is myself: the way I think and the way I respond.
4. "I am inimitable; I am an original" ~Aaron Burr, "Wait For It"
A favorite among "Hamil-trash." It is crucial to remember that you are unique and specially handcrafted. No one is made exactly like you. No one has your exact viewpoint, opinions, thoughts, talents, abilities, potential ... anything. You have something exceptional to offer the world.
5. "Love doesn't discriminate between the sinners and the saints; it takes and it takes and it takes and we keep loving anyway, we laugh and we cry and we break and we make our mistakes" ~Aaron Burr, "Wait For It"
I'm sure we all have unfortunately experienced the benefits and sufferings of love. Although our specific incidents may vary, we must remember again that pain is selfish; it blinds you to those around you and casts a "poor me" attitude while, in reality, almost everyone has gone through some sort of heartbreak. We must choose to continue to love and live through the tears and the joy — for what is life without love? (Also, I think it's so ironic that three of the lyrics I love are from "Wait For It." It's a great, emotional song, and Leslie Odom Jr. is gorgeous, but I hate Aaron Burr's philosophy to wait things out in life, and this song is dedicated to showing why he does this.)
6. "I know that greatness lies in you." ~George Washington, "History Has Its Eyes On You"
Nothing could encourage me more than hearing the [acting] first American president say that you have untapped potential. While this is an exaggeration, this lyric inspires me to keep pursuing excellence, to keep seeking improvement and to keep fighting stagnancy.
