"It's you, perfected!"

It's hard not to laugh at this video poking fun at our obsession with perfection and youth, but... the sad truth is, that at some point we have to draw the line.  At some point we have to embrace all of our imperfections and appreciate them as expressions of our own individuality and that which makes us unique

16 year old Laura Dekker had a dream since she was 8 years old to circumnavigate the world in a sail boat. Along the way to accomplish her goal she faced Dutch authorities who put her into state custody after her first attempt to circle the globe, stormy seas, and cockroaches. After completing requirements set by a Dutch court, including sleep management and first aid courses, authorities permitted the 16 year old to pursue her dream. Her trip was a success and you can read all about her adventure on her blog.

A California high school student recently won the $100,000 grand prize in the Siemens Competition in Math, Science and Technology. At just 17 years old, Angela Zhang designed a gold-iron oxide nanoparticle to deliver chemotherapy. The discovery is intended to be used as an alternative to chemotherapy.  Where chemotherapy is injected into the body killing healthy cells as well as cancer cells and causing significant side effects in cancer patients, Zhang's approach uses nanotechnology to target and send a cancer-fighting drug directly to the tumor. She then used an infrared laser to track the nanoparticles and prove that the tumors diminished. 

Zhang was ecstatic about her win and described  it as "... a Cinderella moment for a science nerd like me." 

Hmmm... Gutsy Gal, lionhearted lady, drives her destiny, embraces imperfections and learns from mistakes … spirited, go-getter and fabulous. Origin: History’s finest females who continue to inspire the Gutsy Gal in all of us!

It’s my definition of a Gutsy Gal but where did I get it? Berta Benz! Who is Berta Benz? She is a woman who changed the world and the woman who is inspiring me to step out and be Gutsy.

To get you up to date, let me begin in 2005 when I found Berta.

This piece was submitted by Gutsy reader, Gladys Barnett. If you have an inspiring story to tell, we want to hear it. Tell us here.

"Your life has many chapters ahead and the end is not in sight." That is what my oncologist told me when I expressed my worry over my third bout with lung cancer.

This confrontation has been the most expanding experience in my 70+ years. My diagnosis was over 5 years ago (non-small cell lung cancer - NSCLC), followed by surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation treatments and now a promising new drug, Tarceva, which is hoped will block the growth of new tumors.

Do you remember your first day of high school? You undoubtedly agonized over your outfit, hair, who you would sit with at lunch, and wondered how you would ever measure up to the other kids. Carlotta Walls LaNier contended with all of those feelings and that was before she even left the house. Upon arriving at Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, Carlotta was heckled, had racial insults hurled at her from every direction, and had to be protected by soldiers holding rifles. As the youngest of the “Little Rock Nine”, the memory and fear of that first day of high school will never go away.

It’s another busy day at the Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore in Santa Barbara. Guest rooms are being meticulously serviced, the restaurant is full, and the concierge is busy making arrangements. Atop this perfectly orchestrated controlled chaos sits Karen Earp, General Manager of not only Four Seasons Biltmore, but also the Montecito Country Club and the Coral Casino Beach and Country Club.