What Would Dolly Do?
Do that!
(Enjoy this post as read by the writer!)
Hello, Friend,
I’m taking a break from the shit show to focus on the good in the world worth fighting for. Dolly Parton is a diamond in a rhinestone world, not because she’s sparkly and fabulous, though she is both, but because she radiates compassion, acceptance, kindness, and love. You can’t fake that. Dolly’s sparkle comes from her authenticity, forged from the considerable pressure of having grown up in abject poverty in the mountains of East Tennessee, learning how to make something from nothing, being bullied and rising above it with talent and tenacity and grit. That’s the kind of sparkle that runs deep and shines its light on everyone and everything it touches.
"I think everybody should be allowed to be who they are, and to love who they love.”
Dolly Parton
Dolly is an American icon, a woman of substance, a gift to us all.
When in doubt ask yourself, “What Would Dolly Do?” Then do that.
Some people turn their pain inwards, becoming hateful and hurtful insatiable pits of need. Angry and vindictive, destroyers of joy. All flash, no substance, cheap plastic rhinestones, pretenders to greatness.
Some people turn their pain into possibility, becoming beacons of promise and reservoirs of good. Happy and open, bringers of joy. Shiners of light, givers of hope, multi-faceted precious gemstones that fascinate and inspire.
You may not know the extent of her good works, because she does them quietly and without fanfare. Dolly helps cover the costs of instruments and uniforms for music students at predominantly black schools in Tennessee. She’s donated over 271 million books to school aged children since 1995 through her Imagination Library. She helped save the Bald Eagle from extinction at the Eagle Mountain Sanctuary in Dollywood. She invested a million dollars in the Modena COVID vaccine. She turned Pigeon Forge, her poverty stricken childhood hometown, into a thriving tourist destination. She offers 100% of college tuition, fees, and books to her Dollywood employees. And those are just some of the good things she’s done and continues to do every single day.
"Find out who you are. And do it on purpose."
Dolly Parton
She’s an exceptional musician, vocalist, and songwriter, funny and smart and self-effacing and inspiring, and I will ALWAYS love her.
What Would Dolly Do?
Judge less, love more, wash, rinse, repeat.
If only more of us would live like Dolly, what a world this could be.
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I love Dolly...I gave had the honor of meeting her when I was about 14yrs young and she was so awesome...I have idolized her since I was old enough to sing her songs and I enjoy all of her music, her movies, her books. I have read them all, listened to all of her music and seen every movie (some twice)! She is an inspiration to us all. She has done so much good in this world, giving caring, loving, and so kind. What would Dolly do? I'm not real sure, what ever it is I want to do it too...take care of the people and be kind!! Keep being you...big hugs ❤️❤️
Love the portrait, Margot! I bet Dolly would also!