“Find out who you are and do it on purpose.”

“Find out who you are and do it on purpose.”
— Dolly Parton

I think I’m still figuring out who I am. Although when I look back at the life I’ve lived thus far, I definitely have done a lot of it my way—and a lot of it on purpose.

I am, and have always been, a big fan of Dolly Parton, so I was pretty shook up to hear that she had passed. And to be honest, my reaction surprised me.

I spent more than two hours scrolling, listening to her songs, watching people sing her songs, and bawling my eyes out. And somewhere in there I realized—it was exactly what I needed. A really good cry.

The renditions of I Will Always Love You, Light of a Clear Blue Morning, and Shine got me good.

My daughter fell in love with Jolene when she was seven years old, and we have been singing it at the tops of our lungs ever since.

What does Dolly’s passing have to do with movement and embodiment, you may ask?

Well, death has a way of reminding us of the preciousness of life.

And life is lived through your body.

Feel it all.

Let yourself cry sometimes. Let yourself laugh really hard. Sing at the top of your lungs. Move your body. Love your people.

And then get busy figuring out who you are—and go do you.

Dolly seemed to understand something about that. She was unapologetically herself, and she used who she was to bring joy, music, kindness, and generosity into the world.

So here’s to an icon.

And here’s to living life fully, generously, kindly—and on purpose.

I put together a short playlist of some of my and my daughter’s favorite Dolly songs. Turn it up, sing along, and if you need a good cry, let that happen too.

In love and movement,
Lila