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Maeve Hickey, photographer for the "America In Ireland" project, was kind enough to share one of her photos of Senator Edward Kennedy with us and her remembrances of this most historic photo shoot.

"This photo, in which Senator Edward Kennedy's tremendous humanity is so evident, was taken on a blistering summer morning in Washington two years ago.

"Our meeting was without doubt the high point in a fascinating photo project - "America in Ireland," which explored the multifaceted manifestations of America, its people and culture, in Ireland.

"The project brought me into the presence of remarkable and sometimes surprising places and people. Among the latter were the dancers Michael Flatley and Jean Butler, the novelist JP Donleavy, two Choctaw Indians who come every year to the wilds of County Mayo to commemorate the Irish Famine, and, of course, Senator Kennedy.

"I met the Senator in his Washington office and was touched by his warmth and generosity, and moved by his genuine dedication - a dedication that was going to keep him on the floor of the senate that night for a filibuster!

"He offered to sit for his portrait at his desk alongside his brother's presidential flag and the flag of Ireland and again on the sofa, the wall behind him a mosaic of poignant family and national memories, including portraits of his lost brothers and nephew." ~ Maeve Hickey

Spread the word ... NOT the icing!
Janice

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Without question, Ted Kennedy Jr. said it best.

At the beginning of the month, when Oprah launched her 'personal weight loss series,' I queried my posse - a.k.a. members of the infamous and fabulous Our Lady of Weight Loss's KICK in the TUSH CLUB - and asked if they had any words of wisdom, comments, thoughts that they would like to share with Oprah.

Some sent messages of love, some disbelief, some concern and as for me, well ... let me be the first to speak honestly and from my heart.

I feel for the REAL OPRAH, and I send her my love and embrace her struggle. I understand what it's like to lose weight and find it ... again and yet again. It's demoralizing and depressing and I can't imagine the difficulty of living a life under the microscope - in the public eye.

On the other hand, I am curious about the PERSONALITY named OPRAH, the PRODUCT, the BRAND named Oprah. The person who just happened to talk about her weight gain at the beginning of January a.k.a.Weight Loss Month. I wonder about the PUBLIC OPRAH who is 'selling' her Bob Greene's books (he is a part of her personal posse, for sure); the Oprah who has 'handlers' a.k.a. advisers, who look at the ratings and tell her what to do. The Oprah who is concerned with selling magazines, radio shows, television viewers, who made a mammoth deal with HBO.

Yesterday, I posted The Golden Globes of Weight Loss: The Best Weight Loss Performance goes to .... (a poll, which you can click on and cast your vote). By performance, I meant who gets the best acting award, the best-crafted message award ... the person who seems so real that you believe her.

I don't mean to be contrary, but please - realize that each and every one of these people are making huge bucks by representing a product, i.e. Alli, Jenny Craig and Oprah. My point: They are not their public persona. Listen to what they all have to say with a grain of salt!

As for me, I permanently removed over 50 pounds over 7 years ago. SEVEN YEARS AGO!!! (I do not represent any big company.) I must know something. And so here is what I have to say to Oprah!

Oprah, where's the FUN, JOY and HAPPINESS in your life and in your weight loss program??? Where's your sense of humor? You are white-knuckling it - again! Putting yourself first on your schedule does not - in my book - equate to forcing yourself to do exercise that you hate. (Have you explored any other way of getting your heart beat up???) Eating chicken breast at almost every meal is not something that one can do for life. Variety is the spice of life! Where's the JOY? Where's the FUN? Where's the HAPPINESS? Yes, I'm asking again, because I just don't see how one can make it through life, much less win the battle of the bulge without a sense of humor. Where are the smiles, laughs, chuckles??? Oprah, we need to talk. I invited you to visit me, and I will again extend this very special invitation - and this the last time. "Coupon valid until February 28, 2009.!"

And now, I will step off my soap-box and turn the floor over to my beloved Kick in the Tush Club members and their messages to Oprah. I thank each and everyone for their insightful comments!

If M.s O truly has a thyroid problem it MUST be treated with medication- there is no cure and no natural way to treat it, and Soy (which she describes eating a lot of) is harmful to the thyroid. AND as you write in your e-zine, is weight the only thing that defines a women's success? Ms. O, you are sending a depressing and demeaning message to us! - J.T.

Oprah, I suspect you don't want to be in the public eye anymore. Your 'trusted' inner circle is marketing you. They are marketing the weight issue - and focusing on 'how can we sell more books, magazines and radio show subscriptions?' If you really want/need/crave more balance, a 30 minute session at the gym at 6 a.m., a manicure and time with your dogs won't do it. - R.B.

Being the richest woman around, she must NOT have the right people around her ... loneliness can do that. [And on the food front] Oprah, keep healthy foods, veggies around and BAN the BAD foods. - Julie

Oprah, you lost weight before, so I know you can do it again. We all can. Anything is possible by the Grace of God. - Dimples

Here's my Kick in the Tush for Oprah ... Let go of the old and let the new in. Let your light shine on the path that YOU choose to take. - Found U in My Heart

It takes courage to tell yourself that you're the only person/thing that is holding you back from being what/who you want to be. It takes courage to get back up on your feet and start all over again. It takes courage to not give up or lose hope. You WILL win this battle. Namaste and many blessings, Rebekah

Oprah, you have personal trainers, Dr. Phil, a chef, and BILLIONS ($$$) in resources to help you lose weight, but it all boils down to her being HAPPY! You don't seem to be happy. Perhaps, you should take time to focus on your problems. - Chris

Oprah, Don't feel bad. Just start back up and you will be in shape in no time! - Roneesha

You are beautiful regardless. Look at what you have achieved. - Trinity

Oprah, I encourage you to remember that complications come from not only being overweight, but from yo-yo'ing. You CAN choose a health life. - Miamykitty

Start where you are. These words may be familiar, because they're the title of one of many wonderful books by Pema Chodron, the Buddhist nun, whom Oprah interviewed some months ago. Just be where you are and start from there. - Cathy M.

Have your Thyroid checked and take a look at your habits. I suspect the past is checking up with you. - Rainbowhope

Oprah, you are fine the way you are. If you are concerned about your weight, eat more fruits, veggies, soup and sweat it out! - Pfrano

Our weight revolves around what is happening in our lives. Oprah is under such pressure. We are all human. - Diamond Joyce

Life is too short to spend stressing about a few pounds. Oprah, I wish you the best, whatever that may be for you. - MIKK

The BEST way to GAIN weight is to go on a diet! You are beautiful just the way you are. - Icicle

You are not alone! Each day is a chance to start again, to renew a commitment to good health. Be gentle with yourself ... and don't give up! - SueF64

The only advice I have is NOT to crash diet! Instead, walk for at least 30 minutes to an hour every day. - Tchina

I think it is important not to look at how far that we have to go but what we have accomplished and work from there. - Malinda

Try it again, Oprah. This time realize that you cannot ever go without tracking what you eat. - ARose

Feel free to leave your message to Oprah in the comments section below. And again, thank you from the bottom of my mushy heart to those KITT Club members who participated in this. I learned a lot from your comments. You are a good lot of people and oh boy, am I lucky to know you!!!

Spread the word ... NOT the icing!
Janice

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Janice Taylor is a Life & Happiness Coach, author, seminar leader and 50-pound-BIG-Time-LOSER! Write Janice for an Introductory Coaching Session.

For more motivation and inspiration, join the Kick in the Tush Club: Beliefnet Chapter.

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" . . . . kooky genius ~ see if her idiosyncratic diet plan will work for you." ~ O, The Oprah Magazine

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