The Courage to Create: A Reflection Inspired by Don Quixote

Today, while reading chapter 3 of Don Quixote (Part II), I came across a passage that hit me hard. Cervantes writes:

“There is no book so bad that it does not have something good in it. But even so, no book ever escapes being censured — even if it is filled with wisdom, elegance, and erudition — because some people will criticize its style, others its lack of substance, some the lack of purity in the language, and still others its fables, its inventions, or its long-windedness.”

And later:

“To publish a book is to expose oneself to great danger, because no matter how much care you put into it, it is impossible to satisfy everyone’s taste.”

The moment I read those lines, I thought about singing — about my own life as a singer and about my students, who bravely step into lessons, rehearsals, and performances, putting their voices out into the world.

Singing (or really, any artistic act) is an act of vulnerability. Your voice isn’t just a sound; it’s you — your breath, your body, your emotions, your story. And when you sing, you’re offering all of that, knowing full well that some people will love it, some won’t, some will misunderstand it, and some will even criticize it.

And here’s the truth: I have been performing my entire life, and I still feel afraid of what others will think every time I step on a stage. That fear never fully goes away — but neither does the deep pull to create, to share, to offer something real.

Because the heart of artistry isn’t about avoiding criticism or trying to please everyone. It’s about honesty. It’s about standing in your truth, developing your skill, and offering something authentic.

This is what I want my students to know, and what I remind myself every time I stand in front of a microphone or open my mouth to sing:

• You are not here to be perfect.

• You are not here to win universal approval.

• You are here to create — with honesty, with skill, with heart.

Not everyone will love what you do. But those who connect with it will connect deeply — because they will sense that you are offering something real.

So, take the risk. Share your voice. Share your art. As Cervantes reminds us, the act of creating is always brave. And to those who dare, the world is made richer.

What creative risk have you been holding back on?

What would you offer the world if you weren’t afraid of criticism?

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