profile

Tamara Doerksen

In a world full of Jolenes, be like Dolly

Published about 7 hours ago • 1 min read

What would Dolly do?

This week, we lost a beautiful, irreplaceable soul. There will never be another Dolly Parton.

I've never heard so many admirable adjectives used to describe one human being, but the one I've heard most since her passing is authentic.

From the time she grew up in a one-room cabin with eleven other siblings in Tennessee to the moment she passed at 80, Dolly was unapologetically exactly who she was. And I think that's why she was such a unifying force and was beloved by everyone from the LGBTQ community to NASCAR.

She never shied away from any question and told the truth that came from her heart, because that's the only thing she knew how to do. She was brilliant in business, generous beyond measure, and somehow, through all the success and fame, remained completely and unmistakably Dolly.

Her life and legacy will continue to inspire me and serve as a compass and litmus test: What would Dolly do?

Interestingly, right before my daughter sent me the text with the crying face emoji telling me that Dolly had died, the subject of how status and power can change people had come up in conversation.

It's not a unique story. I've seen it time and again in my career, and we certainly witness it in the world. The very traits and values that help someone get where they are can shift once they get there.

It takes strength of character and intention to remain a steady and consistent force and presence in the world. But when you look at Dolly's life and legacy, you see just how very important and impactful that can be. It's worth the effort.

And whether it was effort for Dolly, I don't know. I'm sure if she was asked, and she probably was, she would have told you the truth.

This morning, while I enjoy my coffee out of this cup that I've chosen almost every day since I bought it in Goodwood, where Schitt's Creek was filmed, I'm reflecting on the child version of myself who grew up on a farm in Saskatchewan, and who I am today, sitting on this porch.

Would those who have known me along the way see, at the seat of my soul, the same consistent human being? I hope so.

Where do you find yourself this day? Wherever it is, I hope the child version of yourself would smile.

Stay true to you,

Tamara

20 Allister Avenue, Toronto, ON M1M3K9
​Unsubscribe · Preferences​

Tamara Doerksen

Helping people follow purpose with courage and clarity.

I believe purpose isn't something you find once. It's something you continue to follow. Each week I share personal stories, honest reflections, and practical insights to help you navigate change, pursue meaningful work, and create a life that feels aligned with who you are. I'm also the co-host of the Rooted in Purpose with Jess + Tamara podcast.

Read more from Tamara Doerksen

What Age Knows Maybe you’ve seen the “I once was…” reels filmed in nursing homes. One by one, residents turn over signs revealing what they once did for a living. Some need help holding or turning the sign, but the words appear one after another: Engineer. Registered Nurse. History Professor. CEO. Midwife. Soldier. Surgeon. Every time I see one, I think about what those few words represent. All that knowledge, capability, and experience. A lifetime’s worth. I think our culture has lost sight...

7 days ago • 2 min read

Creating Space Let's talk about clutter. It's something I've wrestled with for most of my multi-path life. Or maybe more accurately, it's something I've continually put off. As my paths have branched and multiplied over the past few years, it has become even easier to convince myself there were more important things to do. Why would I spend an afternoon cleaning out a closet when there are children with congenital heart disease to send to camp or work to be done to strengthen our response to...

14 days ago • 1 min read

Waiting or Becoming? Last weekend, I spent six hours in two theatres in Stratford. One story was about waiting. The other was about change. By the drive home, I realized those might be the only two stories any of us ever really live. Some of us spend years waiting. We hope something will change. A relationship. A career. Our circumstances. Ourselves. We tell ourselves that maybe tomorrow will be different. Sometimes it is. More often, tomorrow looks a lot like today. And then there are the...

21 days ago • 1 min read