Spirited Woman Blogger Team

Salsa Granny - Wins Talent Competition at 75 - Proving Age & Ability is Only a Mindset

Has there been something you wanted to do but thought "I'm too old to do that," or has your experience or your age stopped you from reaching new heights in what you thought could be possible? With 2009 coming to a close now is a good time to open to your mindset to "anything is possible." Sarah 'Paddy' Jones, a Spirited Woman if there ever was one, knows just what that mindset can do for you.  At 75 years of age she just won $15,000 in a talent competition and is heading for European and world competitions next.

Take a moment to watch her dance and then open your mind to all of the possibilities open to you to try new things and most importantly to see the world from the mindset of "I can." Put a new twist in the rhythm of your life!

Click on image and watch her dance - she's amazing!

BZ Riger www.artofallowingmindset.com, www.internetradiowithjuice.com
Click here for more of BZ's posts.

Carolyn Osborne - Comment Contest Winner's Work of Art Includes a Beautiful Relationship

There are many reasons to celebrate and honor Carolyn Osborne, the Washington-based Spirited Woman, one of two winners in our blog Comment Contest for her heartfelt and empowering response to blogger Kristin Flannery’s post about the Rihanna-Chris Brown abuse saga.

Osborne is a mutli-faceted artist of impressive breadth, offering original jewelry and fused glass works, as well as watercolors and charcoal renderings under the name Creative Forces. This former corrections officer has always been an artist, the sensibility seemingly a part of her very bones with art the vehicle through which she was able to comfortably express herself as a shy child. She in fact chose her business name not only because she works in different mediums but because she believes there is a creative force inherent in all of us, whether we bring that energy to writing or working with numbers, communicating with animals or those in the afterlife. Every child, says Osborne, echoing the words of Pablo Picasso, is an artist, and it is the brave, the passionate and the determined who manage to break through society’s expectations and constraints to nurture and hold onto that child and bring those artistic gifts to life.

Fortunately, Osborne had the support of incredible art teachers growing up who pushed her beyond her own perceived limits. She was initially drawn to watercolors and charcoals, finding a certain peace in creating her bold and whimsical works, but curiosity (and a love of unique jewelry) spurred her onto other endeavors as well. Today, in addition to her artwork and brightly colored, unusual jewelry pieces, she also does custom gift baskets and offers a beautiful tribute to pets and loved ones who have passed, creating fused glass pendants with their ashes under a separate umbrella she calls Sacred Embers. The work also allows the space for her own healing in losing her brother to cancer.