It is hard to believe that the summer is so quickly winding down. Soon it will be time to buy school supplies, clothes shopping and getting our minds and bodies ready for the transition into school.

This summer I had the opportunity to see, for a second time, the musical “Hamilton” in Chicago. The story tells the rise of Alexander Hamilton, one of our founding fathers. It is a fast-moving show that brings a lot of hip-hop music, great songs, wonderful dance and very important lyrics. Without offering too many spoilers, although it is history so anyone could look it up online, the story begins with Alexander Hamilton, an immigrant from Puerto Rico, meets up with Aaron Burr (the man who would eventually assassinate Hamilton). From their first meeting you see a friendship/rivalry develop that is played out throughout the show. 

One of the early lines in the show that Burr delivers that stuck with me most is this advice: Talk less, smile more. Both times I saw the show, I just couldn’t shake those words of wisdom that were delivered to the audience. It truly is something to think and ponder.

I have always been a talker ever since I was young. I think part of that is growing up in a big family. If you didn’t weigh in on the subject, oftentimes no one knew you were there. I have always used my gift of gab to connect with people, as meeting people seemed to be a gift natural to me, which is possibly another byproduct of a big family. People were in and out of our home growing up: aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins, friends of my siblings, etc. It was fun talking to all of these people. It is interesting as I look back and wonder, did I talk too much? 

We are at a unique time in our country right now. It seems that all of our current leaders seem to just be talk, talk, talking (along with “tweeting,” posting and shouting). There are always two sides to every story. It seems that nowadays the only thing that matters is one’s own opinion, ideals and beliefs. We use to be a country that was based on cooperation, now it seems that we are a country that is based on confrontation. It makes me sad, because I sense it trickling down from government into our communities, friends, families, and most importantly our children. 

We are so quick to “pass judgement” on the story or the person when we don’t heed the advice that Aaron Burr gives to Alexander Hamilton: talk less, smile more. Whether it be politics, immigration, race or religion if we don’t take a chance to stop and respect each other, we are truly losing the essence of the American way. 

My challenge to you is this, before you start talking more, smile first and listen. You don’t know the whole story and you probably never will. Give respect and respect will be given to you. Early on in my principal career a wise parent shared with me that it is OK to “agree to disagree.” We can still continue to work, live, play and enjoy life together. We are able to disagree but do so with dignity and respect for one another.

As we begin to start a new school year, encourage your children to truly talk less, smile more. Encourage them to believe in their teachers, their classmates, in their schools and in their community. Encourage them to listen, but most importantly encourage them to smile. All the walls can be brought down if you take a chance to reach out and learn about someone new and different. 

Continue to use the advice that comes from Aaron Burr: Talk Less. Smile More. 

— Joe Peters is the principal at St. Victor School in Monroe. He can be reached at joepeters@stvictormonroe.org.