“You are enough. And anyone who tells you otherwise isn’t worth your time.”

This quote comes from one of the first shorts I watched, and loved, when my mom sent it to me. It’s about encouraging ourselves, knowing the value we add to the world, and then actually doing so. 

Not just the value of what we do, but also of who we are.

It’s one of my personal life lessons, still. As a Christian Life Coach, I’ll bring in the Bible from time to time, which speaks so much about this too, like how we are: “fearfully and wonderfully made” and “bought at the highest price”. 

But this doesn’t mean we just rest on our feathers, which brings me to the next point, and yes, I’m introducing each life lesson with a Dollyism.

“A peacock that rests on its feathers is just another turkey”

In another video Dolly talked about seeing it as her responsibility to do the most with the gifts she received, and I love that attitude.

It reminds me of a parable Jesus shares, where three men are each given a number of talents, an ancient currency unit, but also a metaphor for the gifts we’ve received. The two who multiplied their talents were rewarded, while the man who buried his talent out of fear was severely reprimanded.

As Dolly said, “God gave me my gift. We all have our gifts. Some of us don’t use them like we should,” or simply: “Find out who you are and do it on purpose.” 

“I live on creative and spiritual energy” 

Dolly shared openly about her Christian faith, often describing how she prays each morning, even saying, “I ask God everyday to let me do something, say something, be something to uplift mankind and glorify Him.” 

That comes from an interview with  Reese Witherspoon, and  in another interview she put it this way: “let me be a light and a vessel to be used.” Perhaps that was part of what made her shine? Because that’s what she did, inside and out, with rhinestones and a heart of gold… or God?  

It seems like she genuinely loved people and gave whom she spoke to her full attention. My mom once taught me: don’t just show interest, be interested. 

It’s ironic that we often shine brightest by living with love, letting others shine.

“If you see someone without a smile, give them yours.” 

A quote I had on my WhatsApp status for months, not knowing it was Dolly’s.

Sometimes it can feel like we have nothing to give, especially when others seem to do such great things, I mean, Dolly Parton started Imagination Library in 1995 which has sent out over 325 million monthly books to children. Wow. 

At the same time, I read in the above quote: we always have something to give. I mean, how amazing is it, when you’re feeling a little down, and someone gives you a sincere smile? It can brighten up your whole day. 

A beautiful reminder that love isn’t always in the big things. As Mother Teresa said:  “Small things done with great love will change the world.” 

“No matter what, I always make it home for Christmas” 

I think this says so much about knowing what, and who, is truly important. I’m sure Dolly had many invitations to perform on great stages during Christmas, I think this really shows that she knew where her priorities were. 

There’s something about being rooted, not just in her faith and marriage, but also in her home and family. 

Even though she didn’t have her own kids, she said about that, “God didn’t mean for me to have kids so everybody’s kids could be mine.”

“The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain” 

In one of her songs, she speaks about the homesickness she felt when she left home the day after her high school graduation, to go to Nashville and chase her dream of becoming a ‘singing star’. 

There was no WhatsApp, no smartphones, not even dumbphones, and she had to first make enough money before she could come back home. But she speaks in another interview (yep, I watched many), about how humor helped her through the tougher times which are part of life. 

“I know some of the best Dolly Parton jokes. I made ’em up myself”

Her humor seemed to have even been one of her ‘weapons, or actually, a way to disarm people. 

For instance, during a probably challenging Barbara Walters interview, she did so by simply “speaking the truth with love”, sprinkled with some laughs. 

She also often brought up her looks in a light and fun way before others could, like: “It costs a lot of money to look this cheap.”

“Don’t let these false eyelashes lead you to believe, that I’m as shallow as I look ‘cause I run true and deep”

In one of her interviews, Dolly talked about the old sayings that guide her, one of them being, “to thine own self be true”. 

That’s what I hear in the above line from one of her songs. It shows that she always knew who she truly was, no matter what others might think. 

As the Bible says, “People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” -1 Samuel 16:7. 

It brings up the idea of living for an audience of One, not trying to please everyone.  When we look to God for the love and acceptance we’re often after, that’s when we get fully filled with love and can pour out from an overflow.

“Don’t get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life.”

Before we “tumble outta bed and stumble to the kitchen” to pour ourselves a cup of ambition it’s always good to remember what and who’s really important each and every day. 

Not letting the urgent come before the important. As Dolly put it: “You can be rich in spirit, kindness, love and all those things that you can’t put a dollar sign on,” or to quote the Bible again: 

“Seek first the kingdom of God, and He will give you everything you need.” 

Dolly also spoke about so much more, like following your dreams, working hard and being willing to make the sacrifices to get there, saying: 

“I always count my blessings, more than I count my money. I don’t work for money, never did. It was the art.”  

Is there something that inspired you? Perhaps you’re familiar with some of the quotes and life lessons or have some to add? I’d love to hear in the comments.