"I have learned that it doesn’t matter how “big” or how “small” our accomplishments are. If we set a goal, work zealously towards that goal, and achieve it, we deserve to feel on top of the world." - Lindsey Stirling

Perhaps my two most favorite women on the planet are Michelle Malkin and Lindsey Stirling. I consider Ms Malkin to be a paragon of womanhood, and I just find Miss Stirling to be perhaps THE most delightful woman I've ever seen/heard. I can't watch any of her music videos without developing either a gentle smile or a wide grin. She's just so wonderfully... *feminine*... and positive... and warm... and... and...

As delighted as I am by her, I never looked for her to provide inspiration, so the quote above surprised me, and one I'm going to incorporate into my own philosophy.

This young woman competed in one of those endless talent competitions... and lost (in the quarter-finals, I think).

She took that defeat and turned it around into a successful career, with an album and her second North American tour beginning a few months after ending her European tour.

If she's not a gulch candidate and a Randian character, I'm a cocoanut pastry.

Here's a link to her Youtube channel:
http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyC_4jvP...

I highly recommend the following videos:

Minimal Beat:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZa1iFO0J...

Elements:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sf6LD2B_k...
Shadows:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGCsyshUU...
Moon Trance:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dfZ9BXaN...
And, with Megan Nicole, Starships:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DRI9q9Ds...

Sorry to link so many, but every time I flip back I remember yet another one I like... :)