Playing from the heart

“If I am smart in business, it’s just that I’m smart about who I am. I know what I can, can’t, will, and won’t do. And if I have to be strict about that, I will.” ~Dolly Parton

I’ve always admired Dolly Parton. Not just because of her musical talents — although it’s worth noting that she can play close to 20 instruments, including the fiddle, mandolin and pan-flute. Even with those long acrylic fingernails. I get a kick out of her over-the-top wardrobe, personality, and showmanship. As Dolly’s quote reminds us today, it takes a huge helping of self-confidence to pull it off.

But what impresses me even more is her boundless generosity. One article suggests that Dolly would be a billionaire if she didn’t give so much of her money to charity.

Just one example: Her Imagination Library gifting program mails a free, high-quality book every month to children under five whose parents request them. As reported on NPR, Parton’s initiative sends out about 2 million free books each month. She launched the project, she said, “because my father could not read and write and I saw how crippling that could be.” I’m putting Dolly’s literacy program on my holiday donation list this year. ~CL

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