Do you ever just need to read something that makes you feel inspired? Well this book does it! Dream More by Dolly Parton was based on a commencement speech Parton was asked to give at the University of Tennessee in 2009; it was everything she didn’t get to say.
As part of the Dollywood Foundation their mission is to inspire children to: dream more, learn more, care more and be more. This is something that Parton, hopes that we all do.
“Well, I always pray that I have enough to share and some to spare. And so far, God has obliged me.” Dolly Parton, Chapter 2
You don’t want to confuse dreams with wishes; there is a difference. Dreams are where you visualize yourself being successful at what’s important to you. Dreams build convictions and you work hard to pay the price for success. Wishes are just hopes without passion.
Dolly works very hard and she attributes this to watching her father work very hard. Having 12 children to feed, she watched him work very hard to care for his family. She is proud of how hard he worked for his family, knowing he could never afford a day off. Dolly, herself, requires very little sleep and works long hours, giving her all to her dreams and her team.
Strong work ethic is vital. When you learn more, it becomes easier to learn so Parton encourages everyone to learn more. You must learn more before you jump on a new dream.
Being a happy person makes everything easier:
- love what you do
- like yourself
- enjoy other people: their company, their ideas, their personalities
- keep a good spiritual grip on things
- always pray for understanding and acceptance
Trust leads to respect. “When respect is gone, the biggest part of love dies.” Chapter 3
Caring is about striving for perfection. There are a lot of people that do just enough but that is not good enough.
“Being more is about following the Golden Rule and bringing into your life a commitment to be fair, generous and compassionate to everybody.” Dolly Parton, Chapter 4
When we go through down times its like God telling us to slow down and take inventory. You should always listen to that God core and care for others and the you truly will be something special.
Reading this book was a refreshing change of pace. It was an easy read. I read it in one sitting but I enjoyed listening to how much Parton loved her family. When her father told her how proud he was of her, once, she thought it was for a song she wrote or a movie she was in. When he told her it was because she was known as The Book Lady, she was really touched. She knew her father was smart, but he had never learned to read and she knew how important it was to him that she had a hand in helping children be more.
I highly recommend this book.
Other Documentation:
Dolly Parton Delivers Commencement Address at the University of Tennessee 2009 by University of Tennessee, Knoxville, May 14, 2009
Buy your own copy of Dream More by Dolly Parton on Amazon
Read My Review on GoodReads:
Dream More by Dolly Parton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Dolly Parton is an honest and hardworking person that strives to encourage people to live their dreams. This book was an easy and refreshing read.
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Feel free to leave your comments below!
My name is Summer. That is how you can call me. I hope that I am a blessing to you. I am not perfect. I will fall again. But I am forgiven.
For anyone reading this that isn’t a Christian, unapologetically, I am a Christian, but I believe there is room for lots of beliefs and religions in the world. It is not my intent to offend people with different beliefs than I have and I would be open to open-minded conversations with no goals of changing anyone’s mind, but sharing information.
If you are interested in becoming a Christian…Do you know Jesus? Do want the Holy Spirit to fill you and give you understanding and salvation? Ask Him. Want someone to pray with you? Contact me.
If you would like to know Jesus as your friend, but want to make this amazing commitment by yourself please pray something like this:
Thank you Jesus that You are the Son of God, the God that created heaven and earth. Thank you Jesus that You came to earth in the form of a man so that You would be able to empathize with my humanity. Thank You that You did this in order to fulfill the promises You made at the foundation of the world.
I realize that I am a sinner and do things that hurt myself and keep myself away from you. Thank You that You died for my sins so that You could defeat death and bring me into Your life. Please forgive me.
I ask You to be Lord of my life. I ask you to heal my hurts and show me what my new life, empowered by You looks like. Thank You for Your mercy.
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