My favorite time in history has always been the American Revolution. Even before Lin-Manuel Miranda created his hit Broadway musical, "Hamilton: An American Musical," I have always loved that era in history. I admire the colonist. I admire their bravery to stand up against oppression. The passion for changing their future. The pride in their new nation that they fought to build.
As I listen to Miranda's words flow seamlessly between character, I realized that I share their same dream. I am reminded over and over throughout this musical to "not throw away my shot" and to always strive to be "in the room where it happened." I share that dream. I share the same dream of not wanting to waste my time on Earth doing meaningless things. I shared the same dream of wanting to be involved in the politics and inner workings of this country. Above all, I share the same dream of wanting to belong to something greater than myself.
I want my name to outlive me. Don't we all? Each one of us craves for our name to outlive our life. Our name. It's our belonging, it is our sense of worth. People spend their entire life striving for the name to be remembered. Lin-Manuel Miranda boldly challenges the listener to reflect on the motives of their life. Miranda writes from George Washington's perspective, "Let me tell you what I wish I'd known, when i was young and dreamed of glory. You have no control, who lives who dies who tells your story." Aaron Burr later asks, "But when you're gone, who remembers your name? Who keeps your lame? Who tells your story?"
Alexander Hamilton's name did outlive him, and so did Aaron Burr's. Alexander Hamilton spent years chasing after his legacy. Working his way out of poverty and to New York at an early age, he proved how determined he was. He fought for the independence of his country. He helped write the blueprints for the Constitution of the United States of America. He led the country into financial success following the Revolutionary War. He lost his son, Philip, in a duel protecting his reputation. He put his legacy above his family and almost sacrificed his marriage completely.
Aaron Burr also fought in the American Revolution. Burr was a very successful lawyer who, alongside Alexander Hamilton and Henry Brockholst Livingston, represented Levi Weeks in "the first murder trial of our brand new nation." He won the case. Aaron Burr won a seat in the Senate to represent New York. In the election of 1800, Aaron Burr was elected Thomas Jefferson's Vice President. However, the thing Aaron Burr is most known for is the duel, where he killed Alexander Hamilton.
Barbara Bush once said, "At the end of our life, you will never regret not having passed one more test, not winning one more verdict, or not closing one more deal. You will regret time not spent with . husband, a friend, a child, or a parent"
In our aspirations to achieve greatness, we must not sacrifice the relationships and things that truly matter. Our names will outlive us by ow we love, how we forgive, and how we spend our time.
Let history serve as our reminder. May we strive not to repeat it.
