It’s ’s fault I’m writing today. His vulnerable, broken newsletter about Dolly Parton inspired this foray into weekend writing, because my mind won’t rest until I get this out.
Or maybe Dolly’s spirit is badgering me. It’s been a while since I’ve felt possessed with the craving-imperative-absolute to write specific words. Two of my novels flowed from a kind of possession. This space doesn’t usually work that way.
Dolly Parton made people feel seen. Every day, she told more people they mattered - famous people random people poor people forgotten people. ALL PEOPLE MATTERED TO HER. She spent her life making sure more people knew how much they mattered. She didn’t just tell; she showed.
She wrote letters. She dictated messages. She went out of her way to schedule events and personally connect with everyday folk. She made personal videos. She wove how much others mattered into her songs and her stories. She was never too busy or important to make someone else feel seen.
I think Dolly Parton would tell all of us who miss her that she’s right here. We all have the power to keep her alive every day, all the time, simply by showing people how much they matter.
We might not be able to write epic songs or record million-selling hits or carry off rhinestones and big hair or give away billions, but we can all show people they matter. We can see them. We can acknowledge their humanity. We can let them know how much they mean to us.
We can do that every single day.
Just imagine how much Dolly Parton could live on if more of us embraced her spirit of empathy and caring, her simple gift of seeing people and acknowledging their humanity.
We don’t need to be Dolly Parton. WE ALL HAVE THIS GIFT. All we have to do is open our eyes our minds our hearts our hands and use it.
I wonder how much energy we’d collectively generate if we acted like Dolly for one day.
Looking at the people who cross our path. Seeing them. Thanking them. Smiling at them. Acknowledging them. Helping them. Slowing down. Taking time. Reminding everyone how much they matter.
Don’t let her example die with her. Mourn her by emulating her. Carry her spirit into your world. Change someone’s day. Tell them what they mean to you. Thank them for existing. Again. And again. And again.
Dolly’s energy multiplied by all of us WILL CHANGE the world.
While I’m always happy for readers to share my work, today I challenge you to reach out to someone and tell them they matter.
