Dr. Nancy’s Amazing Daughter
Dr. Nancy’s daughter, Ragan O’Reilly, is proving to be her mother’s daughter. Mother and daughter have each found their own mission to transform lives. You’re familiar with Dr. Nancy’s mission to help millions of amazing women realize how amazing they are and to show them how to live easier, more successful lives–throughout their lives.
Ragan has found her own life-transforming venue through her organization, In The Loving, Inc. Many people give lip service to world peace, Ragan and the other members of In The Loving take important action through producing products and reaching out wherever they see the need.
Check out how they have lovingly created blessings for “Generation Now” through their “Baby in Bliss” CD and DVD. Reading the mission alone is inspiring. Check out the Facebook page, then go the website and sample the “Baby in Bliss” music and video.
But that’s not all, continue reading and you’ll see how Ragan and her team have taken steps to reach those most in need and set an example for rebuilding a ravaged Haiti.
Here is the press release that has been circulated throughout the country. Feel free to spread the word.
F o r I m m e d i a t e R e l e a s e
IN THE LOVING, INC. Unites with
HELP FOR ORPHANS INTERNATIONAL
to Build Orphanages in Haiti
There Is No Shortage of Love for the People of Haiti When In the Loving, Inc. and Help for Orphans International Serve Together.
Palos Verdes Estates, CA, February 24, 2010 – Ragan O’Reilly, local mom, CEO of In the Loving, Inc., hospital coordinator at Art of Elysium charity, and daughter of the very successful O’Reilly Auto Parts empire founder, financially partners with Help For Orphans International to build an orphanage and give aid to children in devastated Port au Prince, Haiti, after earthquake devastates in mid-January. Despite the fact that Ms. O’Reilly is only days away from delivering identical twin girls, she is one of the driving forces behind the scouting team that left for Haiti on February 24, 2010. The team’s goal is to help build awareness and hope, and in turn raise additional funds to erect an orphanage named after In the Loving, Inc. This is one company who strives to put its money where its heart is.
Left to right top row, Idris Hester, Chris Tucker, Josef Geiger, Josie Dobin, Ragan Oreilly (& twins)
Bottom, Kevin Rowell, Taylor Johnson, Sarah Ehrlich
Following in the footsteps of several American and international philanthropists such as Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Wyclef Jean, and Doctors Without Borders, In the Loving, under the direction of Ragan O’Reilly, has sent an amazingly talented, loving, five-person team on a mission of compassion and joy, spreading cheer and encouragement through art and drumming to the ravaged Haitian capital. The volunteer team consists of Idris Hester, Life Coach and Lead Percussionist at Agape International Spiritual Center near Los Angeles; Taylor Johnson, Artist, Nanny and Trip Coordinator; Christopher Tucker, College Counselor; and Josef Geiger, Documentarian and Photo Journalist. Geiger will be filming the events as they occur, and creating a documentary to help draw international attention to the needs of the Haitian people. The team is also bringing with them a Consultant who designs structures that are eco-friendly and use only natural, sustainable materials, to assess the resources, land, and gather all necessary information to successfully build an orphanage.
Donated art supplies from various sources, including Home Depot, have made it possible to fulfill the first of the company’s goals to spread joy and optimism: to facilitate the creation of a mural for and by children in Haiti depicting their resilience, bravery, and beauty. The mural, originally envisioned by Taylor Johnson, will feature colorful butterflies surrounding a large healthy tree with the children’s hand prints throughout.
The second goal is to help the children learn that joy comes from within, playfulness is good for the soul, and hope abounds. Drumming is the company’s vehicle of choice to reach that goal. “The healing power of drumming plays a huge role in the company,” says O’Reilly, “and now Haiti receives the benefits in their efforts to heal and revive children’s spirits.” Drum and rhythm circles, facilitated by Idris Hester, are scheduled throughout their nine days, utilizing drumming, clapping, and dancing.
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We’re cheering for Ragan’s continued success and look forward to posting more news about her lovingly inspired vision.
Posted By: cathy
Tuesday Mar-9 at 3:58 pm
The Power of Empathy
Sad but true we will all lose someone we love. We may lose a beloved pet or a Grandparent we dearly love. None of us will miss this major life changing event unless of course we ourselves head out sooner than expected. My father recently crossed over. I like to say that because that is my belief that our life is a training mission. I cannot imagine any of us can get it right the first time. Oh well, I will not bore you with my beliefs or crazy thinking. It just makes me feel better to think someone I love leaves and finds a much better place. Just like in the “Tale of Two Cities” when the aristocrats are facing their death and he says to his beloved: “it is a far better place we go to.” Doesn’t that just make it better knowing there is a party up there waiting for us when we go “home”?
OK, I am off subject again. I was telling you about my father’s passing. He was almost 91 years old and he had been at the mercy of the terrible disease, Alzheimer’s. He stayed at home and mother took care of him. He really beat all the typical symptoms of this disease and he remained sweet, considerate and helpful up to the time he took his leave. He smiled and even though he did not know who you were he was always ready with a smile and a greeting. His passing took a brief 6 days once he began his last journey and during that time my family told stories, bonded and held each other and we all said our goodbyes and well wishes to my father. We knew the time would come but when he took his last breath we held ours thinking we would hear one more. When it did not come we cried and held each other and began to put together a celebration of a life full of purpose and meaning which we knew many did not know about. It gave us all a chance to tell the world how special he was and how much he had done while on this earth. It made us all feel humble when we examined a life well lived full of love, faith and dedication to the God he served well. We gained much in this life lesson. What we also learned is how much people care and want to support you when you lose a loved one.
I am still getting cards almost three weeks later and I am humbled by the kindness and words of support I receive almost daily. It has made my mother and my family stronger and better with this out pouring of love and empathy. It is with the support of others that we can withstand anything, no matter how hard it may be. I want to thank so many people for this support and I can only say that we humans have an amazing characteristic to give to others during really difficult times. It makes living worthwhile when I see what we do for one another. I am blessed and I think we all share a common invisible bond that is there when we need it.
Today is the first day of the rest of my life and I think it is a good time to reach out and call someone you have not talked to in a while. It is a great time to lend your love and support to others and I promise you will feel wonderful and so will the person you reach out to. If you are having a hard time for whatever reason, reach out and I promise there will be a helping hand to hold and to lift you up. We are in this together and so we might as well enjoy this ride we call “life”.
Posted By: Dr. Nancy
Sunday Feb-7 at 2:21 pm
ONE IS THE LONLIEST NUMBER DURING THE HOLIDAYS
I have several single friends that are meeting the holidays head on and are not going to let the holidays bring them down. For many women it is a great time of the year and spending time with family and loved ones (for me yes and no) is something to look forward to. But what about those women who are single and feel they do not fit the demographic norm often portrayed by the media, the woman who is married, has 2.5 children and she lives in a house with a picket fence with a DOG NAMED FIDO AND A CAT NAMED FELIX. I realize this example is over the top but during the holidays many of us (me too) seem to look at our lives and our circumstances with rose colored glasses or better yet look at our lives under a microscope and feel down. I really thought this blog was a good idea because we already know many married women have high or unrealistic expectations about the holidays and get all bent out of shape if theirs is not a replica of the Norman Rockwell scene in their homes. I also think we forget that for the single woman it is just as tough when the world is screaming ”be married and have a couple of kids”. There are single women who are out there everyday wondering where they fit in a society that tells them “one size does not fit all (if you fit the mold)” and “Will that be the “family pack?” that is plastered above their heads on the menu in the local fast food spot?”.
Posted By: Dr. Nancy
Wednesday Dec-2 at 3:50 pm
No Gain No Pain Read Avoid Holiday Weight Gain
There are hundreds of magazine covers and articles that entice you to check your weight at the holidays by planning ahead. They tell you to eat before you go to parties. Never arrive at a buffet line hungry. Eat healthy low calorie foods before you go. What they ignore, however, is the emotions that are so wrapped up in the holidays, they can trip you up faster than a child’s roller skate.
Before watching your weight soar, read Dr. Nancy’s article on how to avoid holiday weight gain. She candidly brings to light all of the triggers that can create a frenzy of emotional upheavals that can cause you to comfort yourself with food. Then she tells you how to deal with these triggers in satisfying, non-calorie ways that will help you feel good about the holidays and yourself. Study these coping mechanisms and avoid, not only extra holiday pounds, but those nasty, unfulfillable New Year’s weight loss resolutions as well.
Posted By: cathy
Monday Nov-30 at 11:23 am
Fitness after 40 Blog
Being a leading edge Baby Boomer, I endured peri-menopause before most women began discussing it on talk shows or magazines. I was therefore shocked and amazed at the physiological changes of my body. Forget the hot flashes, panic attacks and mood swings. It was the weight gain that was the shocker.
I had remained a trim 118-120 pounds from the time I was about 18 years old until around 42. Granted my new country life and happy marriage was more conducive to weight gain. Other contributing factors were forest morel mushrooms fried in butter, warm, crusty yeast bread from my leading edge bread machine, the light-as-air buttermilk biscuits I had learned to make for my southern-reared husband. And I was no longer a stressed-out, single, corporate ladder-climbing, city-dwelling professional.
I spent the next 15 years packing it on….all the way to 165 pounds. I see-sawed with South Beach and Sugar Busters and fair-weather jogging, but couldn’t ever push it under 140. In my youth, fair-weather jogging was enough to keep it off, but no more….not any more.
If you are facing these struggles, read Dr. Nancy’s article “Fitness after 40.” It has concise, sound guidelines for how to combat, not just mid-life weight gain, but anytime weight and fitness control. Check it out and save your money for some “show off that new body” clothes.
Posted By: cathy
Monday Nov-30 at 11:13 am