As the Pastor of First Baptist Church, Pigeon Forge, I have the privilege of meeting people from all over the world. People come here to experience the beauty of the mountains and the variety of amusement opportunities.

I also have the honor of knowing many of the locals who live and work in Sevier County, which includes Pigeon Forge, Sevierville, and Gatlinburg. Many of our church family were born and raised in this community and have witnessed countless changes.

Recently, our community has been reflecting on Dolly Parton’s life and legacy. I’m a Tennessean by birth and have lived in East Tennessee most of my life, so Dolly has always been an icon to me. In recent days, I’ve spoken with a few people who knew her
as a child or have worked with her at her for-profit businesses or her foundation. Everyone had a similar refrain: “She was so kind and generous to everyone. She was smart, creative, and had a great mind for business.”

I want to share four lessons that I will carry with me regarding Dolly Parton’s impact on the world.

1. Share your talent with the world.

Dolly was a prolific songwriter and award-winning singer. She used and developed her God-given talents to entertain the world and used many of her earnings to make a positive impact. You may also be a singer, songwriter, painter, writer, or an inventor.

Don’t hide your talent. You can only make a positive impact on the world if you share your talents.

2. Make a profit from your talent.

You may not write a song like, “I Will Always Love You.” Or Working 9 to 5,” but you may have a song even better and more successful. How will you know unless you try? Dolly kept the rights to “I Will Always Love You” even though Elvis wanted them. She made it a condition of her contract to star in “9 to 5” that she write the title song. Both decisions turned out in her favor. People are constantly looking for new songs, books, products, and ideas.

Put yourself out there and make a profit.

3. Be kind and generous.

Being kind and generous may depend upon your faith practice, but it is so rewarding regardless. Give it a try. You don’t have to be talented or successful to be kind and generous. It’s wise to develop these habits before you make it, and they will have a better chance of continuing.

4. Share your vision with the world.

When you cast your vision, and it is caught, it can last beyond your lifetime. Dolly’s Imagination Library will last beyond Dolly’s eighty years. Imagine if she hadn’t had a vision for children to receive free books to encourage reading.

Do you have a vision?

Share it with the world! Who knows? It might last beyond your lifetime.

Let your admiration for Dolly lead you to take action for the next generation.

Regards,

Terry