
“Legacy, what is a legacy? It’s planting seeds in a garden you never get to see.”
– Lin-Manuel Miranda
After hearing that line in Lin Manuel Miranda’s musical, Hamilton, I never forgot it. The concept introduced here left me thinking, what is it about a legacy that enthralls so many?
Alexander Hamilton was obsessed with his legacy to the point of a near-psychotic break. He concentrated so intently on building something people would remember him for, that he was forgotten in his own story for a long time.
It’s exhausting to believe we can manipulate and craft the exact legacy we want; it makes it into a stressful pressure, a near-constant voice in our heads reminding us that we’re not doing enough.
That’s not how the world runs. We cannot control every version of ourselves that exists across the minds of others.
On the flip side, George Washington didn’t share Hamilton’s hunger for greatness. He did his work and his duty not because of glory or recognition, but because it needed to be done. He stepped up to lead when no one else would. And by doing so, his legacy was secured.
He is remembered vividly. His deeds are spoken of regularly.
By focusing on what needed to be done and doing something about it, instead of dreaming of fame and rever, he achieved what Hamilton so desperately wanted without mayhem.
All because he saw the bigger picture.
Legacy has many meanings. To Hamilton, it meant to control. To Washington, it meant focusing.
The opening quote of this post is Hamilton realizing, in his final moments, the error of his ideas regarding what he would leave behind.
If he had let go of control, maybe history would have written itself with him more strongly in mind.
Speaking of control…
Enter Aaron Burr, sir.
That man was more tightly corked then was healthy. However, his thirst for control wasn’t from wanting to build something, it was from wanting to protect something.
While Hamilton was a blank slate, Burr was entangled with expectations and reputation.
Burr’s intensity for making the right choices at the right times led to a mental-lapse that would define him forever.
By killing Alexander Hamilton, he gave up the one thing he could control: his reputation, his actions.
Because from then on, he was known as the man who killed Alexander Hamilton. Every action after that would be shadowed by that decision.
In the musical, he is shown regretting it immediately. Like Hamilton, he realizes too late the errors of his ways.
So, we have three people here. One obsessed with legacy, one protecting a legacy, and one completely unconcerned with legacy at all.
Who do we remember more?
We remember Washington because he went above and beyond the call of duty out of his morals and the calling of his heart. He did what needed to be done for the good of the people, and he let history be the judge of his actions. He trusted that time would straighten everything out.
He was unrushed to clear his name because he was acting with a larger purpose then glory. He had learned that lesson early on in his life.
These three men are only a small section of the story, and I highly recommend listening through Hamilton in its entirety to get a clearer picture.
Each of them accomplished great things, I don’t discount that. How they approached their accomplishments is what defined them in the end.
These examples remind me to let go of control when it comes to how I’m remembered when I’m gone.
If I focus on my work and living my life in a way that is true to myself, my actions will speak for themselves. It’s not up to me how it ripples across the years.
To answer our opening question, there is no one reason why people grasp for a legacy. There are many motivators.
But if there’s one thing we should all remember:
“You have no control over who lives, who dies, who tells your story.”
– Lin-Manuel Miranda
That is one of the most captivating things about life.