Light of the Clear Blue Morning - On hope, change, and finding light when we need it most

Written By Bradford Talley

While the world continues to mourn the loss of Dolly Parton, I thought of this song in particular. And Light of the Clear Blue Morning feels appropriate to speak about right now for so many reasons.

It first came to me several years ago—a recommendation from a friend who, at the time, was experiencing several difficult life changes at once. I, too, was navigating my own. She told me she had been starting her days listening to this song, and I subsequently adopted the same routine.

It recently found its way back to me.

Hearing it again felt like being embraced in a warm hug. And with that hug followed a brief release of all that I’d been carrying over the past several months. I felt lighter. I felt loved. And I felt less alone.

This song is a gift. A gift of hope.

Our lives are changing. The world is changing. A lot of us are scared—including myself.

One of Dolly’s unique characteristics was her ability to sound as if she were singing directly to the listener. And this song is an amazing example of that.

I highly recommend working this song into your daily life when the weight of the world feels too much to carry any longer. When darkness seeps in and we can’t see the light. When we just want a hand reaching out to grab ours and pull us one step forward.

Thank you, Dolly.

Thank you for hope.

Bradford Talley

Bradford is a licensed professional counselor at Nashville Integrative Therapy in Nashville, TN. He works with adults, young adults (16+), couples, and families. He has a particular passion for supporting artists, creatives, and entertainment industry professionals, as well as couples navigating communication challenges, life transitions, OCD, anxiety, depression, religious trauma, and both traditional and non-traditional relationships.

Bradford earned his Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Lipscomb University. His therapeutic orientation integrates psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, narrative, and solution-focused approaches, allowing sessions to be both insight-driven and practical.

At the core of Bradford’s work is a relational, collaborative approach. He believes healing begins with understanding the stories we carry—and together, clients explore patterns that may be limiting growth, build new perspectives, and develop healthier ways of relating to themselves and others. His work emphasizes authenticity, emotional depth, and sustainable change.

Outside of work, Bradford enjoys making music, writing, reading, watching films, playing video games, and taking long walks on the greenway with his dog, Gracie.

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