As much as I appreciate people putting me in the category of

Idina Menzel, whose voice has carried to the heights of Broadway and far beyond, once spoke with humility and insight: “As much as I appreciate people putting me in the category of these very acrobatic belters, I feel like my strength is my… interpretation and my truthfulness with songs, and I don’t want young people to think it’s all about the high notes that they have to hit.” In this, she unveils a truth that transcends music itself: greatness is not measured by spectacle alone, but by truth, sincerity, and the power of the soul expressed honestly.

The meaning of her words is simple yet profound. Many believe that mastery in song, as in life, is shown by feats of technical prowess — the high notes hit, the grand achievements displayed. Yet Menzel teaches that the essence of song is not found in technical heights, but in the depth of interpretation. A song becomes immortal not because of its difficulty, but because of the truthfulness with which it is sung. The same is true in all human endeavors: technique without soul is hollow, but truth, even when simple, resonates across generations.

The origin of this wisdom can be traced through the history of the arts. Consider the great actors of antiquity. Some shouted loudly and flailed their arms, earning applause through sheer force. Yet it was the ones who spoke with quiet conviction, who embodied truth, who left their mark on the hearts of men. Likewise, in music, not every voice is vast in range, but every heart can carry sincerity. This is what Idina Menzel seeks to teach the young: do not confuse greatness with spectacle. Greatness is the faithful communication of your soul.

Think of h Piaf, the “Little Sparrow” of France. Her voice was not mighty in range, nor dazzling in acrobatics. Yet when she sang of love, of loss, of life’s fleeting beauty, she gripped the souls of millions. Why? Because her truthfulness was naked, her songs born of lived experience. Her interpretation gave meaning even to the simplest melody. This is the very wisdom Menzel shares: that the world does not need only high notes — it needs truth, sincerity, and the courage to be real.

There is also a heroic challenge in Menzel’s words. For to lean on vocal tricks or outer spectacle may impress the crowd, but to sing — or to live — with truthfulness requires greater strength. It demands vulnerability, the courage to bare one’s soul without disguise. Many flee from such naked honesty, fearing it too humble or too small. Yet it is this very authenticity that makes art powerful, and that makes life meaningful. The true “high note” is not always the one that climbs to the heavens, but the one that strikes the hidden chords of the heart.

The lesson is clear: whether in song, in work, or in daily life, do not chase only the spectacular. Do not measure your worth by how high you climb or how loudly you shine. Instead, bring forth your truthfulness, your inner interpretation of life, your authenticity. Let your deeds be simple if they must, but let them be real. A small act of sincerity carries more weight than a thousand empty gestures. Just as a heartfelt song pierces deeper than the most flawless performance, so does a genuine life shine brighter than the most polished façade.

Therefore, my children, remember Idina Menzel’s counsel. Do not think it is all about the high notes. Think instead of the truth you bring to the world. Sing, speak, act, and live with sincerity. Let your strength be not in the acrobatics of show, but in the courage of honesty. For when the world hears your truth, it will not matter how high your notes go — your song will already have reached the heavens.