Dolly, you give me hope.....

"You'd be surprised how much it costs to make a person look this cheap" 

This last week has been rather difficult for me, as I have been stuck inside (NEVER easy for me!) and forced to stay in bed trying to get over the winter-cold from hell. Although it means I get a ton of emails, web-work and am able to focus a little bit more on writing-simply sitting still isn't something I'm great at!

However, one lovely thing about all this time has been a wonderful little surprise my mum brought me a couple days ago. A beautiful little book on dreams by one of my idol's and hero Dolly Parton called "Dream More".  

Normally, I admittedly can sometimes be rather a snob about so called "inspirational" books, if it's not just right I can find them to be terrible condescending (maybe I'm just stubborn and resist their well meaning encouragement like a mule)  but coming from Dolly it's anything but.

"I never let a rhinestone go unturned" 

I don't know if it's because of her roots, her upbringing or her down-to-earth attitude and smile that assures you that no matter what it will all be ok. From the time I was 8 years old and heard my first "real" full Dolly Parton album I was hooked. A family friend owned the Halo's and Horns album and let me play it over and over again, finally giving me a copy as a gift because I was so enamored with this fascinating woman with the voice like an angel and a past that I actually found to have some depth.


"It's a good thing I was born a girl; otherwise I'd be a drag queen" 

Unlike so many of her country counterparts, I found Dolly to be the most I related to because-well this is a little embarrassing I'm sure-but her looks. Aside from the obvious-her incredible voice and amazing writing ability, as well as her outstanding stage presence. I loved her over-the-top love of all things sparkly and girly, and how she didn't allow the world's idea of what was beautiful to dictate what she wore and liked. Whenever I'm shopping, getting my hair done or painting my nails-I always think of Dolly because she always reminds me to be myself.

"I can tell you where to put it if I don't like where you've got it" 

Even in a tiny genre like Cowboy music that I am in, there are styles and clicks and trends. People try to fit in, and folks copy a LOT when they find a smidgen of originality. I used to struggle with that so much, coming up with something I loved-rockin it and then seeing a bazillion other folks doing it a few days after. And then I would think of Dolly and how gracious she is and how she is always so positive...and it wouldn't matter anymore. I am the only version of me and it doesn't matter what other folks do, it just matters what I do.

"I'm not going to limit myself just because people won't accept the fact that I can do something else" 

This book really did a wonderful job of reminding me in a minute to remain positive and stay true to myself. It doesn't matter what this world throws at you, you can always hit back harder if you are wearing a smile while you do it.

One of my favorite "Dolly" documentaries...enjoy! 

If you're looking for a little bit of encouragement, need a little reminder that your dreams are worth it-or some reassurance that you can never be too flamboyant-my advice is to look to Dolly. I always do.

xoxo

~Adrian