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5 Life Lessons "Hamilton" Taught Us

What we can learn from First Secretary of State Alexander Hamilton.

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5 Life Lessons "Hamilton" Taught Us
USA Today

The Broadway smash hit "Hamilton" has changed the lives of many. Who knew there could be such beauty in a rap opera about our first Secretary of State Alexander Hamilton? This musical is a masterpiece taking us through the life of a man who was close to being forgotten. Here are some life lessons we can learn from someone who is a bastard, orphan, and son of a whore.

1. Don't Throw Away Your Shot

Alexander Hamilton, an immigrant from the Caribbean who came from nothing. His father left when he was 10, and he and his mother fell ill when he was 12. Alexander quickly got better, but his mother lost her battle and passed away, leaving him an orphan. He never wasted an opportunity that presented itself to make a name for himself and take a different path. He shows us that hard work and determination prevails.

2. You Get Nothin' If You Wait For ItHamilton's story is told through the narration of Aaron Burr. Alexander's first friend, and the last face he ever saw. Throughout the musical, Burr questions why Hamilton constantly rises to the top, yet he does not. He finally gets his answer in the musical number "The Room Where It Happens" where they tell him "you get nothin' if you wait for it," and he realizes all his life he has waited for opportunities instead of creating them like Hamilton.

3. Right Hand Man

George Washington knew he couldn't win the war on his own. He needed the assistance of Hamilton to be successful, showing us that you can never do things alone, and you'll always need a right hand man. Trump obviously hasn't seen "Hamilton."

4. Include Women in The SequelThe Schulyer Sisters are some of the most infamous and badass women in U.S. history. Elizabeth, Alexander's wife, married to him for 24 years, carried his legacy after he died. She established the first private orphanage in New York City and outlived her late husband by 50 years. Even in his passing, she kept his name alive and did not let what he fought for die with him.

5. History Has Its Eyes On You

Every action has its equal opposite reaction. Every choice you make affects the course of history and nothing you do will go unnoticed when history has its eyes on you.

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