What Would Dolly Say?

It hasn’t been since Betty White’s passing in 2021 that I’ve felt inclined to use this space as a tribute to an entertainment icon. Then came the news that Dolly Parton died. I’ve found myself reveling in her legacy of music, witty quips, positivity, and good-to-the-core humanity. Like Betty, the enormity of her heart - far beyond her talent - is what moves me to memorialize her here.

Rightfully so, the world is abuzz with conversations, posts, laughs, and tears over remembrances of Dolly and how brightly her star shone. I’ve heard songs of hers for the first time, familiar songs for the dozenth time, interview clips highlighting her humor and self-assurance, and stories of her growing up that fostered the humility and generosity that characterized her spirit.

Dolly’s persona was that of a human unicorn, but perhaps her real magic was in conveying the wisdom of simple truths in relatable ways. I caught wind of a short video where she does just that—she offers an encouragement echoing the heart of therapeutic teachings about self-love and the importance of esteeming oneself from within. Listen closely and you’ll feel that unmistakable Dolly sparkle wrapped around every word:

“You are enough and anyone who tells you otherwise isn’t worth your time. You got this. Yes, I’m talking to you. Other people didn’t always believe in me. And in those times, I had to believe in myself. Plus, nothing is better than proving people wrong. Make a list of the things you love about yourself. Now it can be big or small. Like, I cook a mean chicken pot pie. Or, I’m a great mom! And if you tell yourself enough nice things, eventually, you’ll believe them too. Go in with confidence. You got in the door because you deserve to be there. Don’t forget that. And don’t let it hit you on the way in!”

It’s a message we’ve all heard at least a thousand times from everyday folks to high profile public figures. So, while not a new sentiment, she says without saying, “It’s ok if you don’t feel this way about yourself right now. We don’t all start with that conviction, but, with practice, we can all find our way to believing it.” It carries the sweetness of a loving heart, the encouragement of a dedicated teacher, and the reality that love is not just a feeling, but an action. We must do the hard work to grow braver and stronger. No one is exempt from that challenge…not even the world’s most beloved buxom blonde.

For this and the myriad ways you inspired us to dream, play, laugh at ourselves, and above all else, love each other well—thank you, Dolly.

Samantha LaffoonAugust 30, 2026

“Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.”

Lovely sentiment, but my body begs to differ. I’ve rolled into a new chronological year with my first injury requiring physical therapy. Turns out, it doesn’t matter if your theme song is Taylor Swift’s “22”—your body doesn’t lie. Thankfully, my issue is more inconvenient than catastrophic. Like many healing processes, the road to recovery is fairly straightforward: ask for help, follow the plan, and be patient. I struggle with the latter.

As a therapist, I’m often encouraging clients to stay the course, trust the process, and remember that healing rarely happens on their timeline. I’m able to say it with conviction because I genuinely believe it’s true - I’ve experienced it as a client myself and I see it play out on the other side of the couch as a clinician. Being a PT patient has reminded me how daunting it is to commit to a process you haven’t experienced long enough to trust. That's true whether you're healing your body or your heart.

Talk Therapy Physical Therapy
“Why would I want to talk about my feelings?” “Why would breathing help my hip?”

“Talking to a stranger is weird.” “You’re telling me this tiny movement is the exercise?”

“How is crying considered a breakthrough?” “How can something this gentle make any difference?”

“I don’t think this is working.” “I don’t think this is working.”

I’ve had plenty of internal conversations sounding something like “If I have to do one more round of breathing into my lower abdomen, I’m going to lose my mind”. It seems unfathomable that micro movements in PT and micro shifts in talk therapy could produce macro-level change. Yet, both processes begin with gentle, intentional steps and all any of us seeking help want to do is get to the finish line. We resist the process, dismiss it as too simple to work, convince ourselves we're somehow the exception, and eventually wonder if it's worth continuing at all.

Sound familiar?

I hear you. And right now, I’m with you. However, in the last few days, something shifted. I’ve had the least amount of discomfort for the longest stretch of time that I’ve had in months. So, I'll keep doing the stretches—still a little skeptical, but humble enough to admit I don't know everything. As much as it surprises me, I do feel a little better. I once heard someone say that change happens slowly and then all at once. We don’t always feel change happening in the moment, but neither do we see a seed become a flower. I’m staying the course. I hope you will, too.

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What Would Dolly Say?

Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in Ohio, Kentucky, and Texas