Dolly: Generous, kind, accepting, and unapologetically herself
What does Dolly Parton have to do with Verified Wellness? Honestly, not much, other than the fact that she is someone I deeply admire and adore.
Verified Wellness is a reflection of me in so many ways, so I think it’s important to talk about the people, ideas, and values that have influenced the way I think, not only about health. Dolly is one of those people.
Her passing has had me reflecting on what made her so special, why she touched so many lives, and what we can learn from the way she lived her life.
Losing Dolly is an immense loss for our country. Not only was she an icon on the stage, but she was a positive ray of light for those who needed it most. She was a champion for the underdogs. What I admire most about her was the way she gave away her wealth. She could have had more, but she chose generosity over greed. She invested in children, communities, public health, and probably many other areas I’m not even aware of.
With her passing, I’ve been reflecting on what stands out most about her. Why is it that she touched so many lives?
It’s not the big hair, the makeup, or the larger-than-life performances. It’s her character strengths. It’s the way she carried herself with a positive attitude, openly stood up for what she believed was right, and invested in the greater good of humanity. She leaves behind a legacy that goes far beyond her tremendous talent on stage.
I look at Dolly as my own personal hype girl. She’s the one telling other women to shoot their shot, that there’s nothing to lose, and to prove everyone else wrong. She’s someone we can all look up to.
After her passing, I noticed that my social media feed was completely inundated with memories of her and her legacy. What stood out to me was how much the adoration for Dolly transcended demographics. Black, white, old, young, everyone seemed to be mourning her loss, just as much as the loyal country music listeners in their 70s.
That’s because Dolly was so much more than an on-stage performer. She was a national treasure. Someone who united this country.
Losing her feels like losing a piece of the wholesome part of our society that we need most right now: compassion.
Everyone wants to make enough money to live comfortably. But what if the ultimate flex is not how much you accumulate, but how much good you can do with what you’ve been given?
That’s one of the biggest things I take from Dolly’s legacy. Living a meaningful life isn’t just about living longer. It’s about what you do with the life you’ve been given.
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