Three Lessons I Learned From Dolly Parton
Karen Hall • November 13, 2017
Dolly Parton is the most honored female country performer of all time. A little list of achievements (from Wikipedia) follows:
She has won nine Grammy Awards (nominated for 47), received two Academy Award nominations, ten Country Music Association Awards, seven Academy of Country Music Awards, three American Music Awards, and is one of only seven female artists to win the Country Music Association’s Entertainer of the Year Award.
As a fellow native Tennessean, I’ve always admired her style and laid back attitude. There are a multitude of lessons Dolly Parton has taught through her life. I’ve focused on three.
1) Your current environment/situation does not dictate your future
Dolly was certainly not born into fame and fortune. She was one of 12 children living in rural East Tennessee and as she puts it, she grew up “dirt poor.” But that didn’t stop her from finding a way to share her talent with the world. Dolly started her “career” at a young age, like many singers do, in church. She rose above her situation to become famous and wealthy.
2) Be generous
Dolly has long been known for her philanthropy. Through her Dollywood Foundation she has raised funds primarily for literacy. Her Imagination Library currently services 1M children per month. Recently she “helped” the residents of the Smoky Mountain area devastated by fires. Every family who lost their house received $1,000 each month and when they picked up their final checks were surprised and I expect delighted to find them in the amount of $5,000.
3) “Fix up” if you are going out (and maybe even if you are staying in)
Dolly is 71 years old and I believe you’ll agree with me that she is beautiful. And not beautiful for her age – pretty much beautiful for any age. She always dresses and accessorizes perfectly. Her hair (sometimes wigs) and makeup are flawless. Even though her personal life is mostly kept private (her husband of 51 years has rarely been photographed or seen in public with her), I imagine her looking great around the house as well. Dolly admits to, without shame, numerous plastic surgeries and when asked about future plastic surgeries, she famously said: “If I see something sagging, bagging or dragging, I’ll get it nipped, tucked or sucked.”
You go girl!
What lessons has Dolly taught you?
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