Author Profile – Sara Wiseman, author – Writing the Divine

What’s on your nightstand now?

My journal, Divine Matrix by Gregg Braden, Matrix Energetics by Richard Bartlett, Frequency by Penney Peirce, The Vortex by Esther and Jerry Hicks…and the latest edition of Surfer magazine.

What was your favorite book when you were a child?

Harriet the Spy, hands down. I read it in third grade, and bought my first journal shortly after. I’m pretty sure I had a spy belt, too…

Did you learn anything from writing your book?

Basically, my whole life changed! Before this book was even a glimmer in my agent’s eye (or even before I had an agent!) I unexpectedly received The 33 Lessons in channeled writing—amazing spiritual teachings from Divine guides that begin “the purpose of life is soul growth.” It was a scary, exhilarating, transformative spiritual experience. I mean, suddenly I had spirit guides—and I didn’t even believe in spirit guides! During these months of channeled writing, my psychic abilities fully opened. By the time I was finished receiving the Lessons for this book, I was profoundly changed from the inside out.

What do you think makes a good writer?

I was a copywriter and a features journalist for decades. This taught me how to write in a style that’s short, sweet, sassy and makes it easy on the reader… all they need to do is strap their seatbelts on, and enjoy the ride!

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

From birth. My grandfather was the entertainment columnist with the Chicago Tribune during the Prohibition Era; my father was a professor who wrote ten or more books on business management. I was steeped in it.

Do you see writing as a career?

Writing is one of the three things I do: 1) I write books about soul growth & healing, and how people can connect to the Divine. 2) I teach the same things in workshops and seminars, traveling to whichever places will have me! 3) I offer private psychic counseling and training, to help folks who are ready to move forward in a very clear way.

What does your family think of your writing?

As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up? I wanted to be a rock star, a surfer, a photographer, a mystic on the mountain… and oh yes, a writer!

CHILDREN THE STAR POWERED TWINS DISCOVER THE SECRET OF WORDS

What’s on your nightstand now?

Six Law of Attraction Books

What was your favorite book when you were a child?

Nancy Drew, “The Hidden Staircase”

Who are your top 3 favorite authors?

Michael Losier
Michael Bernard Beckwith
Deepak Chopra

Was there a book that changed your life? If so which one and how did it affect you?

Law of Attraction by Michel Losier changed my life dramatically while I was dealing with the health challenge of breaking both of my hips while I was setting up my first grade classroom. I wanted to use my time wisely while I was confined to my home learning how to walk again. I started taking Michael Losier’s Telephone Courses three times a week. This marvelous opportunity shifted my whole perception of the challenge I was facing to ALL that I had to be GRATEFUL for in my life. The knowledge I mastered by following his 3 step plan was absolutely magical. I knew the WISDOM being given to me had to be shared with all the young children on our planet.

Favorite quote from a book?

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.”
— Melody Beattie

What inspired you to write your first book?

The need to EMPOWER children at a very young age with the strategies needed to master the Law of Attraction.

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

Michael Losier

As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?

I wanted to become a first grade teacher ever since I was in sixth grade.

Guest Post – Writing a Memoir Poses Difficult Decisions and Startling Discoveries

by Judy L. Mandel
Author of Replacement Child – A Memoir

When I started writing Replacement Child, I thought it would be a pretty straightforward task of remembering, writing, organizing—and hopefully making sense of my life until now.

I had no idea.

The best thing I did to jump-start my writing was to join a writing workshop. It gave me a deadline to have something to read each week, and helped me put a writing regimen in place. I started each day writing for at least two hours and up to four hours.  I noticed that after that time, my writing suffered.  Sorry to say that I worked on my corporate client writing in the afternoons. Sorry guys.
My workshop pals were the first to encourage me, and to make me work harder at my craft. I am so grateful for their insight and honesty in those sessions.

Memories—What Memories?
At first, I thought I had no memories at all. I couldn’t remember a thing about my childhood or growing up.  Maybe I should have realized that this was part of my reason for writing the story, at the risk of being cliché—to find myself. Then, after at least six months of mining my memory, I couldn’t stem the flood of stories.

My writing came in the form of scenes. I almost thought about them as movie shorts. There was no order to my remembering, so my writing had no cohesive structure for a very long time. It was a series of seemingly unrelated moments in my life—until I took a look at them as a whole and started recognizing themes. Even then, I reorganized my chapters at least five times. If it wasn’t in printed form, I would probably still be doing that!

Honesty is Hardly Ever Heard
As I wrote the scenes and episodes for Replacement Child, I came smack up against the things I didn’t want to remember: resentment that I denied my whole life; feelings of being outside of my family; anger at my father; my failed marriages. Or, I didn’t want to delve into my feelings about those times.  I would initially gloss over those parts, but reading them in workshop, and getting feedback from my group, I saw that those were the very topics I needed to explore and expand on if I was going to write an honest memoir that would uncover the truths I needed to discover.

Am I a Replacement Child?
Coming to realize that I was indeed a “replacement child” for my sister who was killed in the plane crash, was the most difficult—but beneficial—truth I was to uncover. It has explained to me many of my life decisions, my attitudes and my conflicts.  I also truly believe that this understanding has helped me forgive—especially my father.  Talking with other replacement children recently, I’m finding that none of us thinks of ourselves this way until the facts are laid out for us. In may case—I did it myself.  Then, the commonalities of our experiences are startling.

Who’s Story Is It Anyway?
Then there were the questions of how much to tell.  In my case, I struggled with how to fulfill the responsibility to my parents to tell their true story and be faithful to their memory.  And, there were things I unearthed about my parents that they may not have wanted told. How to handle that? Until her sudden death this past summer, my sister Linda was my touchstone on many of these issues. But, even we didn’t agree on all of it. Being older, she knew more than I did about my parents—and it took her a long time to clue me in.

My other hurtle in writing Replacement Child was that because I always felt I was an insignificant part of the story, I had to work hard to find my role. This was not unlike my real-life conundrum of figuring out who I was in this family drama—a common problem for a “replacement chid.” In this way, my four years of writing was a journey of self-discovery.

Looking for a richer, more fulfilled life, but finding obstacles along the way? Learning to be aware of your feelings, accepting them and working with them will help you learn more about yourself and also become more aware of the world around you, as portrayed in I.M. Heart.

Sue McDaniel has a life-long interest in searching for understanding of herself and others. She is a teacher at heart with experience at all levels of education. A love of learning lead to completion of a Ph.D. and the search for understanding led to study of feelings and behaviors. I.M. Heart is her first solo publication. From 1992 to 1999, she co-authored five basic books and Learning, Changing and Leading: Keys to Success in the 21st Century, with Chet Dixon. This book and the workbooks accompanying it were used as teaching tools in the state of Missouri. Visit http://imheart.net/.

LAUREN SMITH: What inspired your journey to write I.M. Heart?
Sue McDaniel: My inspiration comes from both personal and professional experience. I’ve always been an emotional person – growing up in a culture where emotions were not understood or acknowledged. On my life journey, I’ve had some challenging experiences and struggled with repeating some patterns in relationships, worth or value of myself, and working through fear- based feelings. I’ve worked with myself to keep growing and learning. I‘ve watched myself stop or hurt myself, and have been interested in the “factors on the inside” that affect our behaviors and actions for a very long time – so wanted to share what I know.

Professionally, I’ve taught at levels from elementary school to college, and traveled as a trainer. I’m a teacher at heart and I’ve watched people stop themselves when they had so much potential to succeed. I also worked for the Missouri Women’ Council where the mission was to help women and their families succeed economically. I’ve watch clients get training and be on the verge of having an occupation with an income to sustain a family – only not to show up the first day of work. It’s heartbreaking for so much potential to be lost because we can’t get around the feelings related to fear. There are so many gifts awaiting us when we can heal these fear-based feelings and open up to accept the feelings based in love – personally, in relationships and spiritually. I like to see people succeed – including me. When we can take a step to move forward – maybe just one step – then other steps can follow. I .M. Heart gives people those steps — and the hope to keep stepping.

LAUREN SMITH: What did you do to prepare for writing your book?
Sue McDaniel: I’ve worked for years with others and myself, meditated, and used many techniques to heal and move myself forward. I’ve researched for talks and presentations on these topics. Over time, I’ve incorporated all of this into my own philosophy, so I drew from my own personal experience, creativity and teaching background. I avoided research while actually writing because I wanted this to come from I.M. Heart.

LAUREN SMITH: What main message – or messages – do you want readers to take from your book?
Sue McDaniel: I want readers to get the message that I.M. Heart is about connecting – in three ways. 1) First it is about connecting with your own feelings – all of them – the ugly, nasty, grimy ones as well as the happy, warm and fuzzy ones. The purpose in connecting is to heal those that hurt so that you can be less judgmental/critical of yourself and instead see yourself as worthy and valuable. This opens your heart to yourself – to be more loving, compassionate, joyful and hopeful. 2) Second, it is about connecting to others – at a more meaningful and intimate level – because you have healed some of your bumps and bruises – therefore you can give more of your heart because it is more open. 3) Third, it is about connecting to spirit – through an open loving heart. Spirit is love – we are love. Love is the most powerful energy in the universe. We are all connected through the love of spirit. Imagine the miracles we can create when we connect in the energy of love.

LAUREN SMITH: Facing up to feelings is a challenge many face; is it difficult for you to “practice what you preach,” or has writing I.M. Heart become part of the process that makes it easier for you?
Sue McDaniel: Facing up to feelings is a challenge for many because they are afraid that they will be hurt – maybe again and again! For many, it was bad enough the first time – why should I go through that again? I’m just going to bury this deep inside. However, that feeling just lurks there, silently waiting for a change to once again raise its head and remind us that we don’t want to take a chance on a new job, or relationship because — remember darlin’ you really got burned last time. Let me keep you safe – don’t do it. In reality, taking a step in spite of the fear is a growth step that could prove that history does not always repeat itself. This could be a chance to break the bonds of this fear and be free to experience wonderful opportunities.

Feelings are the internal driving force behind actions and behaviors and are a part of our lives, whether or not we want to acknowledge them. We all have patterns of thinking and feeling that have become habitual ways of responding to life. I’ve watched people stop themselves when a wealth of opportunity awaits them. Fear of success, failure, family, relationships, our own worth and value – can stop us dead in our tracks. Facing up to those feelings, honestly, so that we can understand them is such an amazing healing process. See my web blog – The Great New Years Eve Meltdown as an example to how sometimes we have to feel the pain – really feel it – and after the release we can change our perspective of a situation. If we hadn’t stopped to feel it, we would have carried forward a destructive pattern – but being with it to heal it – not to wallow, but to heal – can change how we see other people and the world.

The writing of I.M. Heart was a healing process for me as I documented what I had learned for myself. The clarification in writing it helped me to more fully practice it, and my understanding has expanded as I’ve tried to live it. I’m a human in process and am learning more as I practice this. Yes, it’s easier because I have healed some bruises and accept there are more to be healed. I’m healthier, and can be honest about how I feel – and still function without dumping my stuff on everyone around me. I recently had a bummed day and make an effort to interact in a super positive manner with others – while wallowing in the gutter. It was my deal and I knew I could let it process through, but not scatter my blues on everyone else. I’m stronger, more confident and accepting of myself even when I’m in the gutter.

Sometimes a situation or person instantly pushes a button and boom – the feelings are flying. How ferocious those feelings are is often a surprise can be overwhelming. Since they are “in my face,” I can’t avoid them so I acknowledge then and when I can give myself space to be with them and process them. For me, the people most likely to push my button are the people I love most. More insidious are those that creep up on you over time – a repeat irritation, disappointment, feelings of being alone or unloved, one thing after another goes wrong – and the negative feelings build. You ignore them, push them down and find your muscles tight, your gut in a knot, your patience being short, not sleeping peacefully – and then one more button is pushed and you can’t ignore them any longer. The bucket is full to overflowing and you need to empty it out – so take a look at the accumulation of feeling sludge to understand and heal it – and watch the pressure release.

LAUREN SMITH: How long did it take you to write the book – (was it longer or less time than you expected)?
Sue McDaniel: It took me about 6 months to write the book. The title came to me as a whisper one morning just after I woke up. I was in one of those half-awake, half-asleep modes and the words just kept floating through my head. Finally, I got up and wrote them down, and as the days passed, I realized that this was the title of a book. Then as I began writing the book gradually took form and I.M. Heart was born.

The initial writing time was about what I expected, but the editing and design work took longer. I originally drafted the character I.M. Heart and then a graphic artist enhanced my drawings. The graphic design of the book was done by a creative genius who can take my work and my concepts, click with those and create magic. Then I had to put all the other pieces in place and find a printer.

LAUREN SMITH: The cover of I.M. Heart is very striking, and the character – the heart shaped icon – is very appealing – how did you go about developing the look and feel of your book?
Sue McDaniel: The cover of I.M. Heart is my artwork. It was done before the book was written, in a moment of artistic inspiration. The book was not yet a seed in my consciousness when the artwork was completed – but when I started working the book, I knew the purpose of the artwork.

The title of the book, I.M. Heart, is a play on words. It is the title of the book, and the name of the character in the book. It also represents me, you and everyone else on the planet. We are all I.M. Heart, which really means I AM HEART since all of us have feelings. The character is intended to be cute and an inspiration to others. In every day life and especially when the going gets rough, I.M. Heart – the character – is a model for how to live with and process feelings, heal the hurts and grow in love. Imagine a scary or difficult situation in which you hold the image of I.M. Heart in your heart and mind – knowing that you are ok in this moment and will be just fine in the next – you can handle it. The character I.M. Heart gives hope!

I wanted it to be esthetically appealing, have lots of open space, printed in purple ink – a healing color, so that it would be more inviting to those who were reluctant to read about feelings. I wanted the book design to capture attention first, and then maybe people would be drawn in to learning about something new that could help them in their lives. It is an introduction to living with feelings.

It was my intent that this book be very user friendly, inviting to the reader in its entirety or to open a page and capture a message for the moment. In fact many people have told me that they have read it through and then gone back and read certain pages for specific points. Each chapter also has summary points and strategies.

LAUREN SMITH: What tips would you offer to anyone writing a book for the first time?
Sue McDaniel:

Writing the book is one thing – there is such satisfaction watching a page fill with words and knowing that those words make sense and then having a vision for the finished product. I love the artistic process. However, getting that product ready for publication is another animal entirely. Marketing it is an even bigger deal!

When you self-publish, there are a gazillion details that you have to handle, decisions to make and many times you are the lone ranger in this process. I would tell everyone to 1) Don’t give up on your dream because holding that book in your hand the first time is amazing; 2) Be persistent – most of the steps are not hard, it is just a process of “putting one foot in front of the other” until you figure out what is required; 3) Join some of the publishing organizations and ask them for help; 4) Build your own network of authors who have done this or are in process – so you can support each other; 5) Get help with the Internet marketing strategies – including a web site. They are key to marketing the book and this is still a foreign world to me; 6) Develop presentation for groups or meetings where you can sell your book; 7) Explore the options for selling books in large quantities to gift catalogs, businesses, organizations, etc; and Be sure to get registered with Amazon and distributors for sales. I’m sure there other ideas and I’m always seeking to learn more.

LAUREN SMITH: What can we look forward to from you next – another book, or something else?
Sue McDaniel: I have so many ideas I don’t know what to do with them! I love writing and being creative! There are plans for more books, marketing products and speaking topics.

I want to have an I.M. Heart rock or stone for inspiration and support as well as other items to remind people to live with heart. There are plans for I.M. Heart Stories – a collection of real people sharing stories of loving with heart. There are other I.M. Heart options – I.M. Heart Families. I.M. Heart Children or Teens, I.M. Heart at Christmas. The possibilities are endless.

I am currently co-authoring a book that based on abundance – offering solutions for seeing and living in more meaningful and enjoyable ways. The title is way cool and not to be divulged right now. We have plans to write other books together and I have three more titles I would like to write. In addition, I have another book, completed, but unpublished.

LAUREN SMITH: Is there anything we haven’t covered that you would like to include?
Sue McDaniel: I want readers to know that there is hope in healing those feelings that hurt. It changes your world when you no longer have to carry around those negative feelings that limit and restrain you. The world opens up, becomes brighter and is more fun!

I also want readers to know that I too am in the process of healing feelings and growing to love myself and others. On this road called life – I have my own set of potholes and sometimes I get lost on the highway. However, I don’t fall in a pothole as often and I can climb out of it in a shorter period of time. I am stronger under pressure, more open and willing to be vulnerable in relationships, and kinder to myself. My world looks different than it did in the past – more sunshine, hope and spiritual connection. I.M. Heart – I AM in process and so excited about the miracles to come. Blessings!!!

LAUREN SMITH: Thank you for taking the time to be part of this interview!

Lauren Smith: Tell us about the experiences that led you to write this book.

Louise Lewis: It all began just minutes after being “set free” (laid off) from my advertising sales job in high tech. I was a victim of the dotcom implosion. While sitting in the San Jose, CA, airport awaiting my flight home, I began to panic over my future — “where will I find a job when everyone is getting laid off?” I toyed with the idea of just allowing myself to fall…into a deep depression. As soon as the thought crossed my mind, I received words from Spirit: “This is just a new chapter,” Spirit said. “You hold the pen, I’ll guide your hand, and together we’ll write one hell of a chapter.” With a promise to follow Spirit’s words every day, I wrote down the events of my Spirit-led journey. The events that happened, the people that Spirit had me meet all contributed to the energy of the book growing and growing. One day, I realized that I just had to share my adventure with the world.

Lauren Smith: What was the biggest lesson you learned from all of this?

Louise Lewis: Of course, to follow the words of Spirit, but that means to get quiet. Turn inward. And listen. Through this practice, I now know that my security in life lies within me, and not with a job or in another person.

Lauren Smith: Why did you decide to write a book about it?

Louise Lewis: I did not have a choice. Sounds strange, I know. But I was given the question “what is the meaning of life?” to ask me, and told to write down what came out of the adventure of asking people the question. You’ve heard it before, but I must say that the book wrote itself.

Lauren Smith: What do you hope this book will do for readers?

Louise Lewis: The moment a person just hears or reads about my book on “the meaning of life,” a wonderful seed is planted in their heart, mind and soul. From there, with a little gardening, the seed will grow and help guide the person to find meaning on their own path. Additionally, with each turn of the page, the reader is given many true-life examples of how amazing things can happen to anyone, every day of their life, if they choose to listen and follow the messages being sent them.

Lauren Smith: How did you come to communicate with “Spirit” was it something you’d
always done?

Louise Lewis: I was raised to follow the Catholic religion. Instilled early on was the belief that Spirit is always with me. Unfortunately, I was a typical kid and not apt to listen to anyone…let alone Spirit. I was about 30 years old when life served up the pressing need to ask (and answer for myself) a lot of tough questions — what is Spirit? What role does Spirit play in my life? Through this continuing process, I got better at hearing Spirit’s words. It’s not easy. It takes a lot of time. But when you’re ready to stop running into brick walls in life, you know it’s time to do the work.

Lauren Smith: Shirley tell us about your miracle…

Shirley Cheng: My mother said that my birth itself is a miracle; she is so blessed that God gave me to her. Quite a few miracles happened in my life. I was diagnosed with severe juvenile rheumatoid arthritis at only eleven months old. I spent my early years in constant pain, and knocked on death’s door several times. My mother took me to China six times in a period of ten years, and by doing so, she had saved my life, for American medications offered no relief for me. She even lost custody of me twice in America after disagreeing with doctors’ recommended treatments–treatments that would have sent me to my grave. Fortunately, God helped her win both custody cases. (Now I’m an advocate of parental rights in children’s medical care–when doctors ask yes or no, parents should have the right to say no.) Owing to years of hospitalization, I received no education until the age of eleven. I started schooling in a special education class in elementary school. Having been brought up in a Chinese-speaking, single-parent family with no influence on education, I only knew my ABCs and few simple English; I knew that two plus two equals four and that three times five is fifteen. Other than that, my book knowledge was non-existent. But because of my thirst for knowledge, I devoured everything that was taught and mostly self-taught myself how to read. So after about 180 days of attendance, I mastered grade level in all areas and entered a regular sixth grade class in middle school. I’ve received many academic, art, and literary awards. I lost my eyesight at the age of seventeen, but that did not stop me from moving forward. I completed my schoolwork using strictly cassettes and tape recorders (I listened to my assignments, and recorded down my answers, including essays, on tapes for my teachers to grade). I also wrote and balanced long chemistry formulas and equations in my head without Braille (I can’t use Braille due to my arthritis). My high school average is 97 ( 3.9 GPA). But I couldn’t accumulate enough credits to graduate, so I earned my GED diploma. I took the entire GED test, including math calculations and problem solving, graphs, and an essay, in my head, and received an exceptionally high score of 3280, for which I got a special recognition award. I became an author at age twenty and completed three books within one year. With the aid of a screen reader (computer software), I do everything on my own–writing, formatting my manuscripts, publishing, website designing/maintenance, promotion, etc. I know I couldn’t have done all this without my Heavenly Father and earthly mother!

Lauren Smith: Was there ever a time when you felt you couldn’t do something, when you felt your disabilities were really in control of your life?

Shirley Cheng: Obviously, I’d have to accept the fact that I am wheelchair-bound, so I am unable to walk, run, or dance, though I dance with my heart. I am unable to see with my eyes, but my heart tells me all it sees. I do have physical limitations–plenty of them–but the thing is that I find other avenues to explore so I can still love the life I live. My motto is, “Although I’m blind, I can see far and wide; even though I’m disabled, I can climb high mountains.” Do I let my disabilities stop me from living the life I love and going for the gold medals in life? You bet not! Not before, not now, not ever. Life is too important and precious; no way will I waste my life. So my answer to your question is no.

Lauren Smith: What led you to write this book?

Shirley Cheng: This may sound odd, but what first led me to write this book is actually the title. I’ve had the title “Waking Spirit” in mind for three or four years, but I had no where to use it. I was a new author back then with three books. When I was twenty-three, I decided to collect some of the writings I’ve created from the past year into a new book, and I wrote dozens of poems within two weeks. Shortly thereafter, Waking Spirit was born. So the title was a huge motivator.

Lauren Smith: What do you hope people get out of this book?

Shirley Cheng: After reading Waking Spirit, I hope people will feel blessed about living, and will appreciate life, and all that it has to offer, more. I hope people’s passion about nature wonders and animals and insects will awaken and deepen. Life is a miracle, so treasure it, value it, as much as you can!

Lauren Smith: What’s the one thing that surprised you about this publishing journey?

Shirley Cheng: How some people cannot follow the simplest directions! Well, okay, I wasn’t surprised about this since I knew this long before this publishing journey. I honestly cannot think of anything that surprised me, either good or bad.

Lauren Smith: You’re such an inspiration to others, is there someone who inspires you?

Shirley Cheng: My beloved mother Juliet Cheng is my inspiration. She is very wise and good, so she sets great examples to others on what being a good person is all about. She’s the cornerstone and light of my life; the foundation of my happiness, strength, and success, besides God, of course. She supports me in all that I do. I wouldn’t be here today if it hadn’t been for her.

Lauren Smith: What projects are you currently working on?

Shirley Cheng: I am publishing my fifth title, which is a parental rights advocacy book. I am working on my sixth title. It empowers others to empower themselves. True empowerment starts from within, and this book will act like a gentle nudge.

Lauren Smith: Besides writing, what else do you enjoy doing?

Shirley Cheng: I am a motivational speaker, so I love empowering, inspiring, and motivating others through my talks.

Lauren Smith: What is the next high mountain you’ll climb?

Shirley Cheng: The next high mountain I plan to climb is to get the eye surgery to hopefully restore my eyesight, then I hope to earn multiple science doctorates from Harvard University. I love life, so I want to learn as much as I can about life.

Lauren Smith: What advice would you like to give to others?

Shirley Cheng: Dance with your heart! When you dance with your heart, you are dancing using your heart, and you are dancing together with your heart, and as a result, you become a dancing heart yourself to lead others in your dance steps so they can dance with their hearts as well. Hopefully, the entire world can dance with their hearts by the end…

Lauren Smith: Is there anything you’d like to request from the readers of this interview?

Shirley Cheng: If you know any good eye surgeon who is both kind and skilled, please by all means let me know! If I can’t find Mr. Right, let me at least find Dr. Right! Please contact me via my site: http://www.shirleycheng.com

Thank you so much for giving me this great opportunity to share with others a bit of my life story. I’ve made it one of my life’s missions to touch as many people as I possibly can to bring humor, hope, and healing; this interview will help me fulfill my goal, for which I’m most appreciative.

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!