Sweet Tea: Live like Dolly

By now, much has been said about Parton’s artistic legacy, her monumental philanthropic efforts and the general sense that she left the world better than she found it.

However, I think one of her most important lessons is something more simple.

Parton met people without judgment, and believed every situation can be handled with kindness. But she also knew that kindness begins with oneself. She had pride in her Tennessee roots, in her appearance, in her talent and in her own worth.

I think of a famous 1977 interview, when Barbara Walters asked some frankly rude questions about Parton’s appearance.

“You don’t have to look like this,” Walters said. “You’re very beautiful, you don’t have to wear the blonde wigs, you don’t have to wear the extreme clothes, right?”

After some explanation about show business and simply being yourself, Parton cut straight to the meat of it:

“I am sure of myself as a person. I’m sure of my talent … And I’m sure of my love for life … I’m very content. I like the kind of person that I am. So, I can afford to piddle around and do-diddle around with makeup and clothes and stuff because I am secure with myself.”

It’s the kind of answer that deserves to be stitched onto a cushion or bedazzled in a frame. How did that strong foundation help her to support others, and what can we learn from that?

Let’s be honest. The average person doesn’t have fame, a beloved reputation and gobs of money to throw about to change the world. But what made Parton great is something that can be found inside any one of us.

There may never be another Dolly, but there is a you, now. And that is something pretty special.

ART IS MAGIC

Credit: (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

It’s never too late to nurture your talents or your passion. In fact, the future may be patiently waiting for you. Take Atlanta artist Steve Allen.

“This is just an infinite progression and integration of what has been and what we are,” Allen says. “This is a testament to how fantastic, how great, how strong we are mentally, psychologically.”

🎨 READ MORE: What Allen wants to pass down to new generations of artists

SIPS FROM AROUND THE SOUTH

🎹 Charlotte, NC: Blind musician Angel Paez taught himself to play six instruments by ear alone. He’s since played at the White House, been nominated twice in the Carolina Country Music Awards and is gaining recognition on the country music scene. More from the Nashville Voyager

🪩 Atlanta, GA: DanceOut Atlanta has been a haven for queer line dancers, two-steppers and all-purpose groovers since 2018. They recently hosted Hoedown South, the city’s first convention for queer country dancing. This is a great read. More from the AJC

🦷 Rockford, TN: A young engineer from Seymour, Tennessee, taught himself dentistry, combined it with 3D printing and set up the country’s first mobile denture lab, which provides free custom dentures to people in need. More from Angels in Medicine

⛪ New Orleans, LA: A $45 million renovation will give new life to New Orleans’ cherished St. Louis Cathedral in the heart of the city. A new roof, new stucco and art restoration will pave the way for further improvements. More from WGNO

🦋 Wetumpka, AL: One family shares their experience with Parton’s famous Imagination Library. In Alabama, foster children up to 5 years old are automatically enrolled in the program. More from WBRC

TELL US SOMETHING GOOD

SOUTHERN WISDOM

Never forget Parton’s breakout 1966 hit, which set the tone in a most prophetic way.