Most people think this is an outrageous choice and anyone who knows me finds this extremely surprising – but I’m dead serious. I think it is an extremely appropriate choice and one that is well worth reviewing. It is not her voice or her - ummm, shall we say, physical attributes that put her in this exhalted place. Those are commercial attributes but we need to look deeper.

Think about what makes a good hero

A hero embodies many of the values that you admire and aspire to embody in your life. For me some of those values include such things as courage, hard work, love of family, ability and willingness to help others, business acumen, ability to use humor, joyful outlook on life and a centered belief in God. The pinnacle is to be able to meld these values together and enrich the lives of those around us.

Looking past the glitz, the glamour and the marketing hype, take a look at Dolly’s life from a different perspective. While I don’t know Dolly personally, we can still analyze what she has accomplished. She was raised in a small town in an area where opportunities were almost nil, where small farms, large families and illiteracy abounded and in a state that - at the time - was near the bottom of the fiscal ladder. She was born into economic poverty but also into a family that was rich in love and was as supportive as possible against very difficult odds. She is grounded in faith and does not hesitate to reveal her faith values. Her early life obviously helped to form the strength of character that she exhibits in every facet of her life. Life has to have been bumpy but her humor, her love of life and her unfailing love and understanding for her history have never been lost. She took the strengths she had, focused on her goals and worked hard to create something. Certainly her amazing voice and musical skills were a wonderful vehicle but look around you, every day the news is full of “stars” who want us to believe the pressure is so great that somehow we – the adoring public – have created an environment that has caused them to go against the values we all cherish. Dolly has remained true to her ideals and expounded on them to make life better for everyone.

Along her journey, she acquired an amazing understanding of business and obviously has a vision that is much farther reaching than many CEO’s. She learned to read people and gather those with important strengths around her. Eventually when the time was right, she went on to use her success to give back to the same community that had helped her. She opened a business that would provide opportunities and income for hundreds but she didn’t stop there. She has created the Dollywood Foundation that supports a literacy program for children called the Dolly Parton Imagination Library - even the name encourages enthusiasm. They ensure that books are provided to so many who need the richness that inspires each of us today. They also provide scholarships and other learning opportunities for children throughout the world. Dolly is personally involved in all of her business divisions while employing many of the families and friends that helped her and her family in the early years. She continues to grow personally as well as professionally, never shying away from trying new things and never, never allowing the public to endure any personal pity parties.

Everyone has bad days, everyone has down times and valleys in their lives, I’m sure Dolly has experienced the same thing but using these times to gain publicity seems to be against her personal ethics. Humor, energy, and personal dynamics are her stock in trade; she is obviously committed to her fans and does not disregard their feelings. She is aware that her fans are the lifeblood of her business and doesn’t take this lightly. Just like many of us, she knows that presenting her best is important and looking at her life, we know that she realizes everything in life is relational.

Given this perspective, how could a person not admire and respect such diligence, such a work ethic and such a loving spirit. Dolly IS one of my greatest heroes and I’m proud to admit it!

My top 50 quotes includes this one from Dolly:

“The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.”