I'm trying my best to keep up with all this new technology, and

The words of Dolly Parton, “I’m trying my best to keep up with all this new technology, and I surround myself with all these wonderful people that are in the know and kind of help me out with all that,” are spoken with humility, wisdom, and grace. In them we hear the voice of an elder artist, one who has walked through many ages of music, yet still strives to remain present in the ever-advancing age of technology. She confesses the difficulty of keeping pace with change, but she also reveals the secret of her endurance: she does not walk alone, but surrounds herself with those whose knowledge complements her own.

The origin of this saying lies in the experience of Parton herself, a woman who began her career when music was recorded on vinyl and broadcast on radio waves, yet who now continues to thrive in a world of digital streaming, online platforms, and advanced studio techniques. She acknowledges the challenge honestly, but instead of despair, she demonstrates adaptability and humility. She does not claim mastery of every device, but instead draws strength from her community of helpers, proving that wisdom is not in knowing everything, but in knowing how to learn.

History gives us parallels. In the days of the Renaissance, the great artists and inventors did not work in isolation. Leonardo da Vinci sought apprentices and engineers to help him test his ideas. Galileo worked with craftsmen who could grind lenses for his telescopes. Even the wisest among them knew that surrounding oneself with those who possess different skills is the path to survival and growth. Parton, in her words, embodies this ancient truth: that strength lies not in solitary pride, but in collaboration and humility.

The deeper meaning of her words is that no one is ever too great, too old, or too accomplished to learn from others. Pride may tempt us to resist change, to scoff at the new, or to pretend mastery we do not possess. But Parton shows that greatness is not diminished by admitting one’s limits—it is deepened. By relying on others “in the know,” she weaves a community of knowledge, ensuring that her art remains vibrant even as the tools around her shift with dizzying speed.

There is also encouragement here for those who fear they cannot keep up with the fast pace of change. The world today shifts as rapidly as the wind: new devices, new platforms, new methods appear constantly. Many feel overwhelmed. Yet Parton’s example shows a path forward: do not attempt to master it all alone. Seek allies, seek guides, seek the wisdom of those who live close to the changes. In this way, you remain connected, relevant, and capable—not by isolation, but by interdependence.

Practical wisdom flows from this: surround yourself with good people. Build circles of trust and support. Share knowledge, ask questions without shame, and offer your own strengths in return. For in this dance of giving and receiving, each generation supports the other, and together we walk through change without being crushed by it.

So let this teaching be passed down: when confronted by new technology or rapid change, do not despair, and do not cling stubbornly to the past. Instead, embrace humility, admit what you do not know, and walk with companions who can guide you. For as Dolly Parton teaches, greatness is not the absence of weakness, but the wisdom to transform weakness into strength through community. And thus, the one who surrounds herself with wonderful people will always find her way, no matter how swiftly the world changes.