Almost every day, Linda Gray’s morning begins with what she calls a “gratitude walk.”
by Karen Soltero
Many people have asked actress Linda Gray, best known for her role as Sue Ellen Ewing on the iconic show, Dallas, what her secret is. That secret keeps a woman beautiful. The one that makes a woman gracious, humble, and giving, and helps to ensure a long career and a healthy dose of success. And though she doesn’t claim to have a secret, after a little time listening to her speak from the heart, it all seems to come down to one word – gratitude. Something this talented and gracious woman has in spades.
Almost every day, Gray’s morning begins with what she calls a “gratitude walk.” An hour to spend thinking about the things most of us forget in our daily lives that we should be grateful for. For Gray, gratitude begins with those little things, the ability to walk, the hot water in her shower, and it stretches to reach well beyond, into a career, personal life, and her experiences in the world. If it is indeed the secret to success, happiness, and beauty, well then, it’s working.
Gray was delighted by the chance to revisit the city of Dallas. “It was just absolutely lovely. The experience of coming back to a city that you knew twenty years ago and watch how it’s changed.” It wasn’t without its challenges. “Larry Hagman bought me a GPS because I got lost. I think the first day I was there I went down Lemmon the wrong way.”
New streets and navigation issues aside, Gray has enjoyed the flourishing art community and often spent breaks in filming at area museums like the Kimball, the Nasher Sculpture Garden, and DMA, where she was so impressed by the caliber of the work, she became a member.
When asked about what made the original Dallas so popular on such a global scale, Gray answered, “I don’t think anybody will ever know the real reason. I think it was timing. I think it was the perfect time for that in the world.” She also cites people’s tendency to look at Texas and see it as representative of America as a whole, as well as the allure of watching a troubled family and the relationships and struggles that develop. “To this day,” Gray says, “I get stories of people who say ‘I left my abusive husband because I watched the show.’ Or ‘I went to AA because of the show.’ And you don’t realize the impact of those things until you start hearing from people who say how impactful the show was. We didn’t know that when we were filming it.”
Gray has continued to make an impact over the years on people all around the world. As a U.S. Goodwill ambassador from 1997-2007, she traveled to underdeveloped countries to get to know the local women and to understand and share their situations, their concerns. She gave these women a gift, by helping to share their stories, but the impact it made on her was also life-changing.
Shedding light on the need to take care of our elder community, one that is traditionally revered in other countries and cultures but often forgotten in our youth-oriented society.
“I remember one village on top of a little mountain and the women were down at the little river that ran through their village and they were washing their clothes on the rocks and giggling and laughing, and it was almost like we would meet at Starbucks and giggle, and laugh and have girl talk. Women are the same, no matter where you go. They’re mothers, just like any other mother in the world, and they want things for their children, what any other mother in any other part would want. They’re concerned about bettering their lives, education for their children, proper food and water for their family.”
Gray traveled to Malawi with an organization called Nourish the Children, where she spent time in the villages, helping to distribute and prepare food. “There is something that changes in you when you hand someone a package. That you know that they don’t have any food, and they’re going to have food for a month with this little package that costs Americans maybe $22.”
Though she acknowledges that her position in the public eye is helpful because it allows her to share such experiences with others who can’t travel to such far-away places, it has never been about being seen doing good. “I do it from my heart.” It is clear from the excitement in her voice that she is passionate about the work that she does. Not one to rest long, she will soon be headed to Washington D.C. to speak on the hill on behalf of Meals on Wheels about the importance of feeding senior citizens. She’s hoping to help shed light on the need to take care of our elder community, one that is traditionally revered in other countries and cultures but often forgotten in our youth-oriented society.
In talking about the subject of youth, and it’s cohort beauty, Gray is candid and open with her advice to younger generations, those who are becoming more and more invested in the idea that beauty is something that is bought, that it comes from the outside. “I think that women honestly have to get in touch with themselves,” she says frankly. “I think they have to stop comparing themselves to anybody else and be the person they were put on the planet to be. We’re all born unique and different and special, and we don’t honor that.”
She admits it sounds trite, but her simple answer resonates, “Just love yourself.” If you’re having a little trouble doing that, follow Gray’s prescription, because if she’s any testament, it definitely works. “Get yourself off the couch, go for a long walk, and be grateful for something in your life. Anything. Be grateful and appreciative of something you’ve got.”
