Life is filled with ups and downs. No one wins every race, every promotion, or every award. Yet there are people who seem to be consistently have a winning attitude even in the face of defeat. In fact, my friend and mentor Eric Maisel says that creative people need to expect 50 rejections for every acceptance. If this is so then we certainly need the be able to maintain a winning attitude in the face of failure.

Recently my granddaughter Sullivan and I have been watching the first season of Glee, a comedy about losers who are really winners. The cast is made up of an unlikely combination of kids and adults who are funny and talented and generally seen by their peers as losers. Nevertheless, they continually find ways to triumph in the face of adversity.

In real life there are many people I know who are winners in my book even though they don't always take home every prize. My hair stylist, Crystal Brown is one of those people.

I have known Crystal for many years. I have watched her develop into a highly trained and successful colorist and hair stylist. I met her when she was still an adolescent working as an assistant (read one who sweeps up, straightens up and generally does Joe jobs) at Maksi Hair Salon. Even then she seemed curious and highly motivated.

Recently Crystal competed for the coveted Contessa Award sponsored by Salon Magazine. Unfortunately this time she did not win. I am sure that she was deeply disappointed. However, when I spoke to her recently she put the loss into  perspective. She accomplished many goals this year; she has a plan and she is moving on.

I admire Crystal's ability to stay on track. She has no illusions that she will win every competition, but I have never seen her act like a loser. For her there is always something she is hoping and expecting to achieve. Despite this set back she continues to think about the next opportunity.

One of the things I notice about Crystal is that she sets realistic goals for herself. She does not expect to win competitions without learning how to play the game. In fact she is quite strategic about her plans to develop skills and competencies required. She seems to maintain her energy and enthusiasm for the tasks she sets for herself. She is a woman who enjoys growing, learning and continually challenging herself.

Like the cast of Glee, Crystal continues to move forward. And while no one is throwing slurpies in her face in the hall, I am sure there are those who wonder at her determination. I say we should all be so determined.

We can all learn from Crystal. She is confident in her abilities. She makes sure she learns the things she needs to know to achieve her goals. She has a clear plan for herself. She has an excellent support team (including my wonderful photographers Seann and Michelle Childs from LightArt Studios). She gives credit to others who help her. She is bright and energetic and she has a unique style. Although she does not win every time she maintains a winning attitude. With that I know she'll go far.