Like many people, I am enamored with the music from Hamilton. There are so many things to like – all the hip-hop (e.g., Cabinet Battle #1!), the psychologically complex and nuanced development of the characters, the diversity of the creators, cast, and crew, and the powerful storytelling of US history. Because I like to explore mental health in fictional characters, I was tempted to with Hamilton as well (i.e., why did Burr and Hamilton end up on such different trajectories?). However, they are based on real people and real lives, so I don’t want to speculate about them (at least not in a blog post). So, similar to what I did with Star Wars, I decided to make a list of 10 quotes from Hamilton, that in my opinion, may be useful for therapists working with Hamilton fans (who are numerous these days).

1)  On mindfulness and gratitude:

Look around, look around at how/Lucky we are to be alive right now!

2) On taking healthy risks and decreasing unhealthy avoidance:

Rise up! Time to take a shot!

3) On acceptance, patience, resilience, and meaning-making:

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
—
Death doesn’t discriminate
Between the sinners
And the saints
It takes and it takes and it takes
And we keep living anyway
We rise and we fall
And we break
And we make our mistakes
And if there’s a reason I’m still alive
When everyone who loves me has died
I’m willing to wait for it
I’m willing to wait for it

4) On self-empowerment/accepting that one cannot change other peoples’ behavior:

I am the one thing in life I can control

5-6) On understanding historical context for clients who may belong to marginalized groups:

You want a revolution? I want a revelation
So listen to my declaration:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident
That all men are created equal”

And when I meet Thomas Jefferson

I’m ‘a compel him to include women in the sequel!

—

A civics lesson from a slaver. Hey neighbor
Your debts are paid cuz you don’t pay for labor

7) On not equating self-worth with work achievements

I don’t pretend to know
The challenges you’re facing
The worlds you keep erasing and creating in your mind
…
So long as you come home at the end of the day
That would be enough

We don’t need a legacy

8) On self-compassion:

Look at where you are
Look at where you started
The fact that you’re alive is a miracle

9) On not letting perfectionism interfere with productivity:

Burr (on the U.S. Constitution): And if it fails?
Hamilton: Burr, that’s why we need it
Burr: The constitution’s a mess
Hamilton: So it needs amendments
Burr: It’s full of contradictions
Hamilton: So is independence/We have to start somewhere

10)  On prioritizing health and balance:

Take a break