Hello ,

As we navigate the ebb and flow of life, we are often reminded of its fleeting nature. 

This Sunday, we will be attending a memorial, an emotional occasion that prompts us to reflect on the preciousness of time and the importance of the relationships we hold dear.

Our friend, Sheryl Brown, we will miss you. Fly high and free, and say hi to Kevin for us.

Life's unpredictable journey can sometimes distract us from what truly matters — the people we love and the bonds we share. 

Let's take a moment to pause and reflect on the beautiful connections we've forged with friends and family. It's an opportunity to express gratitude, offer support, and strengthen the ties that bind us.

Here are a few ways to show appreciation:

Send a Heartfelt Message: Take a few minutes to send a heartfelt message to someone you care about. Let them know how much they mean to you and how grateful you are to have them in your life.

Plan Quality Time: Life can get busy, especially around the holidays, but making time for loved ones is essential. Schedule a coffee date, a dinner, or even a virtual hangout to catch up and share meaningful moments.

Acts of Kindness: Small gestures can have a big impact. Whether it's a surprise note, a thoughtful gesture, or a helping hand offered at the right time, these acts of kindness strengthen the bonds we share.

Express Your Feelings: Don't wait for a special occasion to express your feelings. Share your appreciation and love openly and regularly.

Create Lasting Memories: Make the most of every moment by creating lasting memories. Capture experiences through photos, spend quality time together and cherish the moments that become treasured stories.

As we join together in remembering a life lost, let us use this moment as a catalyst to embrace the living. Life is too short to leave words unspoken and feelings unexpressed.



Thank you for being a treasured member of our community. We wish you a week filled with gratitude, love, and the warmth of meaningful connections.

Shelley & Toby

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Unveiling the Journey’s End: Life Lessons from “A Gypsy’s Kiss”

by Shelley Carney

If there is anything that I have learned in my young life, it is that things change. 

I think a lot about that on the train ride from El Paso to Lamy, a small station south of Santa Fe where all the trains stop before chugging along to someplace else. 

Things changed. 

No, not “things.” 

Me. 

I’ve changed. 

I’m going back home. 

I’m giving up on the idea of independence, but perhaps more important than independence is personal responsibility. 

Making your own decisions, committing to those decisions and moving forward in life is all the freedom that truly exists. 

It’s all the freedom that any one of us really has.

A Gypsy’s Kiss: A Treasure Hunt Adventure, Chapter 39

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Welcome back to another insightful episode of "Our Story Your Story." In this week's podcast, authors/hosts Shelley Carney and Toby Younis unravel the final chapters (39-41) of "A Gypsy's Kiss: A Treasure Hunt Adventure." 

Watch the video or download the podcast episode.

Join us as we delve into the themes of facing dread, embracing the unknown, and the powerful lessons learned from life's unpredictable journey.

Facing Dread and Taking the First Step

Facing dread and summoning the courage to take the first step is a universal challenge that transcends the pages of books and spills into the days and events of our lives. 

It's a sentiment we've all felt—standing at the edge of the unknown, feeling the weight of apprehension. 

It’s the initial step that is often the most daunting. 

It is not a long trip between the big station in Albuquerque and the small one at Lamy. As we near it, Mr. Kudrow sidles down the aisle, stopping at my seat asking, “Are you ready for this?” “I’m not sure.” Mr. Kudrow nods. “That feeling there, son, that ‘I’m not sure.’ Sometimes, that’s as good as it gets. But you’re young, you’re smart, and you’re strong. So you’ll do fine.” A Gypsy’s Kiss: A Treasure Hunt Adventure, Chapter 39

Confront your fears head-on, muster the strength to step into uncertainty, and watch as the journey unfolds. 

This lesson, rooted in personal experiences, strikes a chord with anyone who has hesitated on the precipice of change. 

It's a call to action, a reminder that growth and discovery await those who bravely navigate the uncharted waters of their fears.

“There are moments when we imagine it's going to be so much worse than it turns out to be. If we would just let life happen and not worry so much, we would probably enjoy everything a lot more. As soon as you make your decision and then follow through with it, everything gets easier.” — Shelley Carney

Toby Younis opens the discussion with a personal reflection on overcoming fear and the significance of taking the first step in various life experiences. 

“Crossing the bridge of dread, the stepping stones across the water to get to the other side, having the courage to step across those stones has the benefit of proving to yourself that you have the courage to do it, and the ability to accomplish whatever it is. But you can't do any of that if you don't take the step to the first rock in the river.” — Toby Younis

The first step of confronting our fears head-on is the hardest. Once you get started, it becomes easier.

Click here to read the rest of Shelley's entertaining article on our blog.

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No new content this week

Check out our series that reviews each chapter of our book, A Gypsy's Kiss, on our YouTube channel youtube.com/@ourstoryyourstory

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Thank you for spending time with us in the AGK Media community.

Sincerely,

Shelley and Toby

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