About the event in Afghanistan, I was basically in a hotel for two weeks.
You know?
They arrested me. They came and arrested me inside the Green Zone and took me and put me in this old Holiday Inn where I had to stay two weeks with terrible food until the Consular Officer came and got me out.
My experiences in those situations have been nowhere as negative as experiences with Balkan warlords, Afghani warlords, or Colombian warlords.
Those have been a lot more frightening.
— Toby Younis
Welcome back to another captivating episode of Our Story Your Story!
In this installment, hosts Shelley Carney and Toby Younis guide us through the enthralling chapters 31 and 32 of “A Gypsy’s Kiss,” where the teenage protagonist, Miguel, finds himself entangled in a web of adolescent adventures and nightmares involving the New Orleans Police.
Watch the video or download the podcast episode.
Toby Younis shares a profound personal lesson drawn from chapters 31 and 32 of “A Gypsy’s Kiss.”
Drawing parallels between his own life experiences and those of the teenage protagonist, Miguel, Toby reflects on the pivotal moments that taught him the importance of taking responsibility.
“It’s all about perception and taking responsibility. You don’t have to be a jerk. If you do something wrong, you’ve done the crime. You’re going to have to do the time. The times when I did things wrong got me into trouble.”
— Toby Younis
The discussion highlights how Miguel’s encounter with the police after sleeping atop a mausoleum serves as a metaphor for the challenges young individuals face in navigating the complexities of adolescence.
The voice sounds official to me, so I do what I’m told. I turn around, meeting the stares of two police officers wearing uniforms with accessories that indicate they are employed by the New Orleans Police Department.
A Gypsy’s Kiss: A Treasure Hunt Adventure, Chapter 31
“I was very polite, you know, with ‘yes sirs’ and ‘no sirs.’ I understood that being a jerk was not going to help me.”
— Toby Younis
Reflecting on moments of recklessness, Toby emphasizes the importance of knowing your rights and the potential for positive resolutions, even in seemingly dire situations.
“I’ve gone through what I would do now, which is to ask, am I being charged with anything? If they say, we’re going to hold you here for a minute, you say, am I free to go? You’re well within your rights to do that. Not having this experience, I didn’t know any of that. Had I known it, would I have invoked it? At the time, I trusted that the officers knew what they were doing and would find a positive resolution.”
— Toby Younis
This exploration unveils a universal theme of maturity, illustrating how the journey toward adulthood often involves facing consequences, learning from mistakes, and ultimately taking responsibility for one’s choices.
The journey to adulthood is a dance of progress and setbacks, a nuanced rhythm where individuals take a few steps forward, encountering challenges and learning valuable lessons, only to take a step back.
“You were back and forth between that: Am I a man? Because I spent the night with a woman last night. Or, now I’m a boy again with these police officers who are telling me what to do and keeping me safe. You want that at the same time. You grow up a little, but then you take a step back.”
— Shelley Carney
It’s through this intricate choreography of advancement and regression that we navigate the winding path of maturity, steadily building resilience, wisdom, and a deeper understanding of ourselves until we ultimately arrive at the destination of adulthood.
“I had gone from ‘Mister Motorcycle guy’ to ‘I’m 15.’ I need to play that role here. I felt like these guys were willing to help me, maybe even take care of me.”
— Toby Younis
Through Toby’s insights, listeners gain a deeper understanding of the role responsibility plays in the maturation process, making this episode a compelling exploration of life’s lessons.
Within the theme of justice, Toby explores his varied experiences with the legal system, acknowledging the existence of both just and unjust elements within it.
“Despite my positive experiences, I know that others have faced injustice within the system. It’s important to acknowledge those experiences.”
— Toby Younis
By sharing stories of his siblings’ negative encounters, he sheds light on the diverse perspectives that individuals bring to their interactions with the justice system.
“I don’t have a bad view of the justice system. My brothers and sisters, on the other hand, because they had so many encounters with the justice system and paid the price, their perception is that they were mistreated. So I had that contrast.”
— Toby Younis
This exploration encourages listeners to confront the complexities inherent in navigating a system that, while designed to uphold justice, may occasionally fall short.
“Dragnet” is a classic American television series that originally aired from 1951 to 1959 and later in various revivals. Created and starring Jack Webb, the show is renowned for its realistic portrayal of police work. Set in Los Angeles, “Dragnet” follows the no-nonsense Detective Sergeant Joe Friday and his partners as they tackle a variety of cases, often based on real-life events.
We recount the surreal atmosphere as the narrative transitions from calm to chaotic during Miguel’s encounter with the police.
This process should intimidate and perhaps even frighten me. Instead, I’m feeling like this is just another part of my adventure. Then, like a bolt of lightning, everything changes as three officers attempting to wrangle a large and combative man explode through the main door.
A Gypsy’s Kiss: A Treasure Hunt Adventure, Chapter 32
Toby shares his own reflections, drawing parallels between the experience and the scripted nature of TV shows like “Dragnet,” only to become unsettlingly real.
“I started imagining that any moment now, Joe Friday was going to walk in, wave at the desk sergeant, and then go back into the jail to interrogate somebody. It had that kind of 1960s police station kind of feeling.”
— Toby Younis
It was as if reality danced between the lines of a script, throwing him into a world he never thought he’d experience.
Toby’s open-minded approach to unexpected circumstances and thirst for adventure becomes a focal point of discussion as he shares personal insights.
“If you do the numerology on your birthdate, you’re a 5, and 5 is an adventurer. So it was like you were destined to have adventures, to say yes to life. You’re a very ‘take the bull by the horns’ kind of person because of the lure of adventure.”
— Shelley Carney
We discuss the importance of seizing opportunities that arise from unforeseen events and the valuable life lessons they can offer.
“After having the adventure I did, I think it opened my eyes to the possibilities. I felt confident that nothing that was going to happen from this point forward was going to be bad.”
— Toby Younis
Amidst uncertainty, there lies an opportunity for valuable experiences and life lessons.
The psychological effects of adrenaline, often referred to as the body’s “fight or flight” response, have been studied extensively in the field of neuroscience and psychology.
When faced with a perceived threat or stressor, the adrenal glands release adrenaline, triggering a cascade of physiological changes designed to prepare the body for quick action.
Adrenaline activates the sympathetic nervous system, leading to an increase in heart rate, elevated blood pressure, and a surge of energy.
This heightened state of arousal can result in a sense of euphoria or anxiety, depending on the context of the situation.
While adrenaline serves a crucial role in responding to immediate threats, its prolonged activation can contribute to stress-related disorders.
Understanding the science behind adrenaline sheds light on how our bodies instinctively respond to challenges, influencing our cognitive and emotional experiences in the face of intense situations.
The comfort and curiosity I was feeling instantly converts to fear of this enraged mob closing in on me. My nerves jitter as if I had just consumed several cups of coffee as surreal abruptly disappears to reveal reality. I’m much more aware of the possibility of the danger of this place.
A Gypsy’s Kiss: A Treasure Hunt Adventure, Chapter 32
The discussion touches on the psychological effects of adrenaline, drawing parallels between Miguel and Toby’s experiences.
“That was probably the first time in my life that I experienced the adrenaline rush and the resulting comedown. Every time you find yourself in a combat situation, you’re pumping adrenaline. When it’s over, assuming that you survived it, you crash. You’ve got the shakes. I don’t think I ever became addicted to it. I didn’t need the adrenaline. I wasn’t looking for excitement as much as I was looking for achievement or accomplishment.”
— Toby Younis
Despite the rush and subsequent crash of adrenaline during dramatic incidents throughout his life, Toby emphasizes the resilience that kept him on course, committed to completing work contracts and pursuing new adventures.
In this insightful blog post, we’ve explored the latest episode of the “Our Story Your Story” podcast, which revolves around chapters 31 and 32 of “A Gypsy’s Kiss.”
The discussion navigated the intricate landscape of adolescent adventures, encompassing themes of taking responsibility, reflections on justice and injustice, the surreal nature of arrest and detention, embracing uncertainty and adventure, and the psychological effects of adrenaline.
Toby Younis shared personal anecdotes, weaving them seamlessly into the narrative, providing profound insights into the complexities of maturity, navigating the justice system, and facing the psychological and emotional rollercoaster that is part of life’s unexpected adventures.
Three Action Steps for Personal Growth:
Let’s take the insights from our podcast journey and translate them into actionable steps for personal growth.
Here are three transformative actions you can take this week to enhance your understanding of responsibility, justice, and the adventurous spirit within you.
Reflect on Personal Responsibility
Take a moment this week to reflect on a recent challenge or mistake.
Consider how taking responsibility for your actions, as discussed in the podcast, can lead to personal growth.
Identify one step you can take to address the situation and demonstrate accountability.
Explore Diverse Perspectives on Justice
Engage in conversations or readings that offer diverse perspectives on the justice system.
Expand your understanding of the complexities involved, recognizing that individual experiences may vary.
This step encourages empathy and a more comprehensive view of justice and injustice in society.
Embrace Unexpected Adventures
Challenge yourself to embrace uncertainty and view unexpected situations as opportunities for growth.
Whether it’s trying a new activity, taking a different route, or accepting a spontaneous invitation, stepping out of your comfort zone can foster resilience and enrich your life.
Embracing the spirit of adventure, as discussed in the podcast, may lead to unexpected joys and valuable experiences.
Don’t miss out on this insightful and entertaining episode of Our Story Your Story! Subscribe, share, and embark on a journey through the adolescent adventures and nightmares that shape us all.