What Others Really Think About You...

Now that I have a few minutes of

downtime.... I want to share a quick story....

I had a Very interesting convo while in Albuquerque, NM a few weekends ago sitting at a bar in my hotel.. eating... Ended up chatting a man of Hispanic decent (his ethnicity important)... He asked what brought me to NM so I mentioned my new MYBS venture to do a 5k in a new city. So we started talking about traveling.. Traveling ABroad specifically.. I mentioned a few places I have been and He asked about my experiences in Cuba, Bali, Milan, China, Belize which I gladly shared... And he said something so interesting to me... He said .... He could never travel like that. I thought he meant it was hard to get a passport. So I asked him, why he said that.... He said... He would not be accepted anywhere because everyone hates Mexicans... He said, it is much easier for me to travel wherever I want to go..... I was so shocked.. I was like... but you do know I am Black, right? He said yes, but no one like Mexicans... I was sooooo floored.... and saddened..

If he only knew my fears of running

into the wrong group or having a horrible experience.... BUT I have not.. I hope kindness and positive energy fight the evil before it forms :)..

WE talked more and I shared my

thoughts on how much we are really accepted, how much what we see on tv is NOT real and he would be accepted as well. and he said he would like for his kids to travel, but KNew they never would. I encouraged him to not say the later to them... but to encourage them.. Not to stifle a dream they have yet to develop...based on his own fears. He said true... and wished me luck on my race and hike to Kasha Katuwe.... He ended by saying I will read your blog and visit through your eyes.... I suggested he try a cruise first. Very easy, no passports needed and you can venture off the boat at no cost and explore at port side if he wanted... but still see the world in a bit of a controlled environment.

So often we think our situation is dismal or the worst, but we never really know what others may feel about themselves or others. How they feel they are being treated and why... Just when I thought Being a black female was still societies lowest spot on the totem pole....

This outgoing Man with a beautiful wife and kids shared his fears and mental bondage. Where did it come from? Will he have the strength to take the words we shared and begin to break the cycle?

I do not know.. I do not know..... I

do hope my words, my experiences of how welcoming THE WORLD is... prevail. I hope I encouraged him. I hope I gave him hope that all things are NOT always as they may seem....

We can not live through others eyes

or we will miss every gift awaiting us...

Let's encourage others to embrace our differences... We are truly beautiful people... Remember... WE all Bleed, Eat, Dream and LOVE...

Live... Explore... Decide for YOU...What is...
#throughmyeyes #adventureswithali

JUMP AROUND - 5k/Hike with Ali in Albuquerque New Mexico - April 2018

Today embarked on a new journey… or should I say an extended journey…

A Lifestyle Journey bringing the forces of balance, health, wellness and charity all together at one time.

A dream of sorts that manifested itself on the heels (literally) of my 5Ks and other health escapades.

Years ago I started really focusing on health and wellness management for myself and it has grown into a business.  One I share with family, friends and clients , which, I am only meeting as a result of other satisfied clients.  My health and wellness business called Mind YOUR Body and Soul is about full mental and physical wellness through physical activity as well as the practice of exercising our brains through clean and clear thought that can be intensified through the practice of physical well being.  The idea has grown from merely getting healthy the traditional ways  (which by no means is an idea of the past) to adding an element that promotes involvement from my followers, fellow health enthusiast (not exclusive to those who are experts), but really those who mentally understand the benefit and theory and value of that Lifestyle. Those who are simply EXCITED by the idea of learning and doing something different and making it a lifestyle

So… Let's fast forward to 2018 and the idea behind Where's Ali - JUMP AROUND!!!!  You guessed it… it is pretty much what it sounds like and most of my friends know I am the epitome of Where's Ali…. The mere idea of guessing where I may be laying my head is so intriguing and fun to me. I have made it a quest to really make that a bigger part of my lifestyle and share it with others while incorporating some health wellness and charity in at the same time

When it comes to health and wellness for me, I shy away from the traditional.. You know what I'm talking about… THE Gym.. Give me something out doors, or something that breaks the monotony and is an automatic challenge. Like what you are probably asking…..??

5Ks for one, the infamous Hike with Ali..my staple, Biking, HIIT work outs outside, swimming, Rock climbing, Obstacle courses.. You name it…

On top of that, I love volunteering and just giving my time. So how can I come up with a way to do this all together..

The idea came to me almost instantly….. Get my health and wellness in by participating in a 5K in a different city at least 6 times a year and kick off a donation drive for the charity the 5k is supporting!! I KNOW…I KNOW…. How awesome is that????Pretty awesome…

Now let me tell you I am not a 5K sprinter or runner for that matter.  I do walk and run.. I just run more than walk.  I have times I want to continue to beat and this challenges me to be consistent and continue progressing. 

So I have kicked off 2018 with my first 5K at the Foam Glow 5K in Albuquerque, New Mexico March 31st.  The 5K supported CGC - Children's Grief Center of Phoenix, which focuses on providing support for children under 17 who have lost a parent or both parents. This is pretty awesome to me.  And I had fun doing the5k. For me, I know it is all about the WHY and not the running because to just go and run 3 miles will likely never occur.  hahaha

So you know I could not just come out here and not see what the city had to offer...... I took a look in the New Mexico area and found a very cool landscape to check out.  Kasha Katuwe Tent Monument. And it was simply spectacular!!!!!  It was just the 1.5 hr hike I needed and I got to see some aweome landscaping as well. Check it out if you are ever in the area.  $5.  Tip - Get there early to avoid long long lines at the gate.  The views are spectacular and the Hike is miraculous... AT least to me... I'm into that kind of thing.....

To make this more fun and get friends involved..

  I am taking suggestions for where to run 5K's and where to Hike from YOU… Yes YOU. . Just send me an email or comment suggesting a new city you think I should go to.  It can be international too. And/or send me a location you think I should visit to hike through…

Friends and Family all of this not only is about the 5k or the charity it supports but we get to share in practicing balance for everyone to see.  And I think we all know that is the tougher part.

If we are in the same area... JOIN ME!!!! Let's Jump ARound Together!!!

***Don't Let me forget the Infamous Route 66!!!. I went to the famous Route 66 Diner and went to Old Town.  Very cool.  Years ago my brothers and I planned a trip across Route 66 from Chicago to Cali and just never did it.  I still think we should....
What are some places you have gone or would go to that you would recommend to me?????
I wanna know

Tossing Tassels - Way To GO 2018 T.O.R.I Graduates - The Potter's House Dallas

Today March 25th, 2018 Marked a day of accomplishment for participants in the T.O.R.I program - Texas Offenders Reentry Initiative.
T.O.RI. 2018 presented by Founder T.D. Jakes, Executive Director Tina Naidoo and Keynote Speaker Angela Rye at The Potters House in Dallas, Tx.
 T.O.R.I was founded in 2005 by T.D. Jakes. The program was put in place to assist former inmates with acclimating to society, their neighborhoods and families. The program is managed by 11 hardworking individuals and supported by over 140 volunteers.  The staff assist participants with housing, education, healthcare, employment assistance and mentoring.

Special Community Service Award was awarded to Affordable Dentures who provides FREE dental work to a number of recipients! Our smile and how we feel about it makes all the difference in the world.  This team is helping these recipients smile again!!

T.D. Jakes's vision is exactly what our communities need to continue rebuilding, to continue loving each other, to continue breaking down some systematic disparities that have become all to well the forbidden norm.
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Most of us know someone who has gone through the system and tried to come out and rejoin society. Often times we are outsiders looking in.  We don't fully understand the mental state or physical state of  these former inmates.  We don't know what is driving them to get out and do better, We don't know if they have the support to achieve those goals.

We do, however, know most people in every day life do not have the additional negative checkmark from some level of incarceration hanging over their heads and without that, it is still hard for the average working person. So we definitely do not understand the magnitude of the process or roadblocks that await them.
WE do know as they reenter into society it is much better to have citizens who have something to offer, a purpose for living, a purpose for staying in the right lane.. for themselves, their familes or friends. T.O.R.I. gives them that.  T.O.R.I. gives them hope! And It Is Working!!

• T.O.R.I. has served 17,000 formerly incarcerated individuals across Texas
• Over 50% of the recipients are employed
• The program costs $4 per person vs. $50 per active inmate per day
• Assisted with enrolling students in GED classes and starting college courses
• 142 Volunteers

Let me tell you the program was excellent!  Tina Naidoo put together an exceptional program and the former inmate stories were truly touching.  I think we can all relate somehow.

The commencement speech given by Angela Rye was nothing short of remarkable.  Her words were encouraging, uplifting and words of perseverance. Angela lead us with her mighty wit and offered bountiful inspiration not only to the recipients but to EVERYONE in the building! Philippians Chapter 3 was her playground and she referenced it with narratives we could embrace and understand.

There were a couple of  Angela's quotes that just sat on my brain. She hit every nook and cranny of my brain.  These should go in a book somewhere... Or So I think....
*"He Who has a WHY to LIVE can bear ANY how".. We are all trying to find our purpose.. this gave me LIFE!!
*"People see the old you... before the reset"
She said sometimes we hit rock bottom so we can hard reset and sometimes that is what it takes to make change.
*"Release from Bondage is not in itself Freedom".. This one right here !!! WE have to consistently work at that change.  It's like being Baptized.  After the baptism, you are still in the same body... We have to put in work daily to actually see the cleansing take affect in our lives...

Finally, Angela left the T.O.R.I. recipients with 5 Steps to Living in our Purpose and being successful..
1. Embrace Your Why!!
2. Step Into Your Power
3. Accept Your Vulnerability
4. Work from Compassion
5. CHANGE the WORLD!!!

All I can say is WOW!
Angela Rye never fails at giving good word.
The pure energy in the sanctuary during commencement was rewarding.  It was awesome to see the proud recipients.
Wonderful job Tina Naidoo, T.D. Jakes, your T.O.R.I Staff and Volunteers!
AND GREAT JOB T.O.R.I. Graduates!!! 2018 is your year!

Get Involved - Volunteer or Donate to the program. LET'S MAKE CHANGE HAPPEN!!
http://medc-tori.org/

#IamMore #RedemptionSunday #TimeToSOAR #IARR #A2C #iamroyaltyradio #AngelaRye  #TORI #TDJAKES #DAllas

Ali Carter
I Am Royalty Radio Staff
www.iamroyaltyradio.com

Do you want to Break the Cycle?

Were you the kid your parents never gave praise or acknowledgement to..?

not because they didn't love you, but because they felt you were so confident and self sufficient they didn't need to...
BUT they openly spoke mounds of encouragement to the next sibling, kid, or other person in front of you..???
Not realizing it made you question your very existence and value.

You grew to believe you didn't need their support and believed it made you stronger...

Did it? 

Or did it make you trust less.. 

Seek help less.. 

Struggle alone more??

So much so you may have similar behavior traits.. You may find you overlook giving people credit and justify it by saying they should know.  I have been guilty of this or saying.. well they are doing what they should.  But the next person who barely comes through gets a pat on the back for barely doing what they should because we want to help build them up.  All the while I realized I aided in possibly tearing my true support and rock down.  I have worked hard on changing this over the past 5+ years so that now acknowledging, saying thank you, good job,  I appreciate you, even giving personal acknowledgments and compliments etc... is more natural.

Why am I writing this... because I want to break the cycle.... 

Note - I am talking about when reward is warranted not the blanket everyone gets a trophy concept.

Flip side... I have been told in the past I am always present, willing, helpful, work hard, loyal etc... so I am overlooked, because as a constant they did not have to worry about me. *There were examples of this very behavior and treatment in the bible - Cain & Abel, Esau & Jacob, the story of the Prodigal son.

Because of this I found myself questioning my existence in that environment.  I thought, if I am so easily overlooked because I always work hard, but am not worthy of expressed gratitude,
Why am I here?
 I knew this was something I wasn't good at so I worked on changing this trait in myself and even moreso I am aware of it's existence or lack there of.
For me.. I withheld praise mainly because I did not know how to give it. nor was it comfortable... So I didn't really think about it.. Or did I?  Maybe I assumed people like me... who worked hard... didn't need it... What a conflict with how I felt and how my brain was trained!!!!

I had to ask myself is it really that hard to give thanks, verbally or non-verbally? No, it wasnt.  It was harder to break the cycle than to offer encouragement where due.

  

So how does one truly KNOW anyone else's thoughts without it being stated?

We all want and need acknowledgement, praise, a compliment a pat on the back of some kind.  If we say we don't, this message is specifically about that misinterpretation of hurt.

Moral... if deep down that behavior, hurt..realize the same action causes the same hurt to the next person.

Sometimes we grow enough to see the pain inflicted on us whether on purpose or accidentally and sometimes we learn and have the courage to work hard to correct it... that is what I call 

Changing things.. 

Creating a new paradigm... 

Breaking the cycle...

We are only damaged if we never try to acknowledge and adjust...

I am working on this daily.  

#A2C
~Ali

You dont have to teach Adoration and Respect...

When someone loves and Adores you you don't have to teach them how to treat you...
LOVE AND Adoration supercede everything.!!
Specifically, When it comes to respect, honor, loyalty....you may have to teach little things around what you like ..preferences..
You know.. colors, flowers,  foods that kind of thing...
but never how to treat someone you adore...
How to respect,love and adore.... Just Is!!

Short and sweet..
#A2C