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America's National Parks are some of the most spectacular and awe-inspiring natural wonders in the world.

There are 63 National Parks in the United States, each with its own distinct features and attractions. From the towering peaks of Denali in Alaska to the dramatic canyons of Zion in Utah, from the geothermal wonders of Yellowstone in Wyoming to the tropical paradise of Hawaii Volcanoes in Hawaii, America's National Parks offer something for everyone.

Not only do National Parks offer stunning scenery and opportunities for outdoor recreation, but they also play a critical role in preserving our planet's natural resources and protecting biodiversity. By conserving these valuable landscapes, we ensure that future generations will be able to enjoy them as we have.

We have visited the White Sands National Park together for our New Mexico Day Trips YouTube channel and hope to visit Carlsbad Caverns sometime in the near future.

What National Park will you visit next?

Shelley and Toby take a time out for a selfie at The Watering Hole inside El Morro (The Headlands) National Monument in northwestern New Mexico.

Mastering the Art of Living: Navigating Life's Tolls, Setting Boundaries, and Embracing Reality for Peaceful Living

by Shelley Carney

Tax Day is upon us once again.

Just as death is an inevitable part of the human experience, taxes are an unavoidable aspect of modern society. 

The saying goes, "Death and taxes are the only certainties in life." 

Taxes are a necessary part of functioning societies, used to fund public goods and services, support infrastructure, and maintain social welfare programs. 

They are also frustrating and not fun.

Both death and taxes remind us of the transient nature of life and the responsibilities that come with living in a society. 

Embracing the inevitability of death and taxes can help us approach them with acceptance and responsibility, and make the most out of the time we have while fulfilling our civic duties.

When we are dating and then we get married to our life partner, we focus on the romance and togetherness we feel. We think about the future we will have such as buying a home, getting a pet, or having children. 

We don’t imagine our partner dying or how we will deal with a prolonged injury or illness that leads to death.

I know I didn’t imagine my husband dying of cancer before we could enjoy our retirement years together.

But death and taxes come for us all, and when they do, we have to accept reality.

Acceptance Brings Peace

Accepting reality is a key ingredient for a more peaceful and fulfilling life. 

When we resist or deny reality, we often find ourselves struggling and suffering. 

My mom had a stroke a little over a year ago. She has made some progress, but when faced with the reality that she will never be the same as she was before the stroke, she fought against everybody who was trying to help her. 

No matter where she is: at home, in the hospital, in rehab, or now in a group home, she doesn’t want to be there and continuously asks that we take her someplace else.

But the “someplace” she really wants only exists in the past.

She resists reality, and that makes life difficult for all of us.

When we accept the truth of our circumstances, including imperfections and uncertainties, we can find peace and clarity. 

Acceptance allows us to let go of futile efforts to control things beyond our control and frees us to focus on what we can do to navigate life's challenges with grace and resilience. It helps us develop a realistic perspective, make wise decisions, and find contentment in the present moment. 

Acceptance also fosters healthier relationships. 

We learn to accept others as they are, without trying to change or judge them. 

By embracing reality as it is, we can cultivate a more peaceful, authentic, and meaningful life.

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

Here's our next week in content:

4 pm MST, Wednesday, April 19, 2023. Shelley Carney in the Land of Enchantment (Premiere and Podcast)

The Power of Truth: Our Responsibility as Content Creators

In today's episode, I'll be sharing the intriguing tale of a small town with a unique name that has captured the imagination of many - Truth or Consequences, New Mexico. From how the town got its name to the impact of a popular game show, we'll uncover the truth behind this fascinating community and the lessons it holds for content creators.

How do your stories impact your audience? As content creators, our viewers and readers rely on us for truth. Shelley and Toby share helpful stories to bring the world closer together.

Click Here to Set a Reminder!

4 pm MST, Wednesday, April 19, 2023. New Mexico Day Trips with Shelley Carney and Toby Younis. Video Upload.

El Morro (The Headlands) National Monument

El Morro National Monument in New Mexico is a unique and fascinating destination for visitors. The monument is located in western New Mexico, near the town of Ramah, and is known for its towering sandstone cliffs and its wealth of historic inscriptions and petroglyphs.

The main attraction at El Morro is the Inscription Trail, a 1/2-mile round-trip hike that takes visitors past hundreds of inscriptions and petroglyphs that have been carved into the sandstone over the centuries. The inscriptions date back to the early 1600s and include signatures, dates, and messages left by Spanish conquistadors, soldiers, and settlers, as well as Native Americans and others who passed through the area.

4 pm MST, Wednesday, April 19, 2023. Garage Prospecting with Shelley Carney and Toby Younis. Video Upload.

How Much Gold in Klesh's Gold Blast Paydirt?

Klesh's Gold Blast Paydirt bag is a product sold by Klesh Guitars, a company that specializes in building custom guitars and providing gold panning experiences. The product is marketed as a bag of paydirt that contains real gold flakes, and customers can purchase the bag to pan for gold themselves.

Watch as Toby runs the paydirt through his custom process to see how much gold he can find.

Want to Have It All?

Find our New Mexico Day Trips website to see all our photos and blog posts for NM Day Trips and Garage Prospecting at nmdaytrips.com

Learn more about AGK Media Studio products and services on our website: agkmedia.studio

You can still find all our past content to improve your content marketing for your small business at messagesandmethods.com

Thank you for spending time with us in the AGK Media community. Scroll down for more information.

Sincerely,

Shelley and Toby

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TikTok vs YouTube: Which is better for creators?

by CHRISTIE PASSARIS

TikTok and YouTube collectively generate billions of daily views, likes, and shares, and are extremely popular platforms amongst all generations. From the boomers to Gen Z, TikTok, and YouTube have taken over the social media industry and the way consumers watch videos. But which video-sharing platform brings the most value to creators? Let us find out through Clipchamp’s helpful TikTok vs YouTube comparison.  

What is TikTok?

If you have never heard of TikTok before, it is a short-form video-sharing app that lets creators share videos about absolutely any topic and express their very own unique aesthetic. From expressing thoughts, feelings, and opinions, to singing, dancing, comedy, lip-syncing, challenges, and hauls, creators have the freedom to reach a huge community all around the world in just a few minutes.

Unlike YouTube, TikTok videos have a 9:16 vertical aspect ratio, are usually short, unpolished clips, and can be recorded and edited directly inside the app. Users can share in-feed videos, story videos, slideshow image videos, and even publish video ads. Although TikTok is used to create bite-sized passive content, brands can also use it to increase brand awareness. 

What is YouTube?

On the other hand, YouTube is a free video-sharing website and app that is well-known for its long-form, widescreen, 16:9 aspect ratio videos. From popular genres like ASMR, video podcasts, tutorials, comedy, and more, YouTube lets creators, businesses, and users have creative freedom if it fits into YouTube’s guidelines. Creators can find their niche, create an engaged community, and even make money on YouTube.

Click here to read the rest of this very informative article.

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Schedule a Free Consultation with us to discuss how you can become a content creator, start a YouTube channel and build a community, or incorporate content marketing into your business in 2023.

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We've added a Books idea list to our store with our AGK books: Livecast Life, Women in Podcasting, and A Gypsy's Kiss. Find it at http://books.agkmedia.studio 

We get a small commission from Amazon, but there is no extra cost to you and you can find just what you need without searching for hours.

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