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An Interview with the author of “You’re Only Young Twice”

By Lauren Smith | August 11, 2007

yoytcover.jpgLauren Smith: What motivated you to write this book?

Dr. Ronda Beaman: I wrote this book because I felt, and still feel, we are looking at aging through the wrong lens, instead of being appreciative, we are appalled. Too much emphasis is on what’s happening to our skin, instead of what should be happening to our spirit!

Lauren Smith: Tell us what’s your book about and why do you think it’s important

Dr. Ronda Beaman: “You’re Only Young Twice” is a book about becoming all you were meant to be, about celebrating the original gifts given to you on the day of your birth, including joy, humor, wonder, imagination, curiosity, music, resilience, and optimism and learning, again, how to use them benefit from them and die young…as late as possible!

Lauren Smith: What do you hope your book can do for others?

Dr. Ronda Beaman: I believe “Young Twice” can re-define OLD™ and could begin a movement of appreciation and thankfulness for the gift of a long life.

Lauren Smith: Can you give us some quick tips to reawaken our spirit?

Dr. Ronda Beaman: Right now, whoever you are and wherever you are, hum! That’s right, hum! People who hum live an average of 7 years longer than non-hummers, we are all meant to march to an inner drummer and sing our own song! Also, make yourself laugh, children laugh 300 times a day, adults, maybe 3…and laughter is a good workout, it moves the intestines, makes the heart beat faster, releases endorphins and makes you fun to be around, so you’ll attract some fun friends…all of which lift your spirit and re-engage your soul!

Lauren Smith: Is there such a thing as the fountain of youth?

Dr. Ronda Beaman: I believe there is a Fountain of truth..and this is it…you are lucky to be alive. At whatever age, whatever stage, you must celebrate your turn, make it a memorable day, each day, and grow young in the things that really matter; love, kindness, and worthwhile endeavors.

Lauren Smith: Do you ever get discouraged that we live in such an “age conscious” society?

Dr. Ronda Beaman: I am human, I teach at a university, I see everyday in front of me what my skin used to look like! But I try, everyday, to teach them to see what a young spirit looks like! I think as a society we are too prone to look at the surface level of things. There is a deeper, more meaningful layer, it isn’t as easy to access, but it is more valuable. So, rather than allow myself to be discouraged by how shallow things can be, I am constantly making myself encouraged to look beyond what the media and marketers pander..age, beauty, power, and promise are all unique and self defined…the more I can share that, the more encouraging I can be to others, the more we can begin to change the face of aging in this society.

Lauren Smith: What surprised you the most about the publishing process?

Dr. Ronda Beaman: I was surprised how welcoming, hopeful, and exciting it can be if you are really telling your truth and hoping to help others, there is always a market for that and someone who will believe in you.

Lauren Smith: So where to from here? What’s next for you?

Dr. Ronda Beaman: “You’re Only Young Twice” is now in print in 4 countries, I am traveling and doing interviews and workshops around the world and so many people come up to me and say that many people need my help reminding them how to be young once! So, I am in the process of working on a book about raising children in a society that stills want them to be little adults!

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