The Road I have Travelled

By Ali Ibrahim Karim

Self-reflection and introspection are vital in our journey through life. Looking back at the roads we have travelled, we gain insights into the experiences that have shaped us.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ali Ibrahim Karim
• Release date: Aug 1, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223620037

Ali Ibrahim Karim

As one of 11 boys, Karim’s life in Ghana changed dramatically after his mother passed away. He was just eight years old. He went to live with an uncle and his conscientious studying paid off with a scholarship to the University of Damascus. Ever since he was a teenager in Ghana in the early 1970’s, Ali Karim was fascinated by the United States. But it would be another 40 years, into his late 50’s and over thousands of miles traveled all over the world before he would make it to the U.S. and become a citizen. His journey to the U.S. took him to Egypt, Syria, Turkey, Iran, China and Japan before finally arriving in 2004. Six years later, he met the “amazing 1199 member” who would become his wife. She encouraged him to get a job at Mt. Sinai Hospital in Manhattan. He started as a housekeeper and studied to become a Patient Care Associate. Since working at Mt. Sinai, he has committed himself to providing empathic care to all he comes into contact with patients, families and co-workers. He began to involve himself with art coloring while taking care of a patient who was on a one-to-one on the KP4 Women’s Health unit and he recently displayed his work at the GYN Ovarian Cancer fair in September of 2018 and 2019.He started writing poetry sonn after that and to date, he has written five poerty books including this one.

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Acknowledgement

I continue to thank God for giving me the strength and long life to write. To God be the glory.

I also want to thank all those who continue to support me.

Introduction:

Reflections on the Roads I Have Travelled]

Self-reflection and introspection are vital in our journey through life. Looking back at the roads we have traveled; we gain insights into the experiences that have shaped us. This poetry book delves into the milestones, challenges, and growth I have encountered throughout my own personal journey.

Beginning of the Journey: Origins and Early Influences: 

Childhood Memories: Our family background and upbringing lay a foundation for our future paths. It is within these early years that we learn fundamental values and beliefs that guide us. The impact of family and their support systems cannot be understated.

Educational Journey: School experiences and influential teachers shape our interests and mold our educational pursuits. The academic achievements, challenges faced, and the significant role teachers played in my formative years. 

Personal Development: Discovering our passions and hobbies is an essential part of growing up. Influence from friends and our surroundings can have a profound impact. Through personal stories, I detail the experiences that have influenced my personal growth.

The Pathway of Career and Professional Choices:

College Years: Our college years signify a crucial period of exploration and growth. Academic pursuits and major selection set the course for our professional lives. Co-curricular activities provide opportunities for skill development and shape our overall experiences.

Job Experiences and Milestones: The initial job experience, with its inevitable challenges and triumphs, helps define our career trajectory. The growth and achievements gained through various job roles and the lessons learned along the way.

Lessons Learned: Professional growth and the acquisition of new skills are significant aspects of any career. Mentorship and guidance play an invaluable part in shaping our journey. Reflecting on lessons learned helps guide future choices.

Traveling the World: Adventures and Cultural Experiences:

Wanderlust Begins: The allure of exploring unfamiliar places and cultures is often the catalyst that ignites our love for travel. The early sparks of wanderlust and the reasons behind my own desire to explore the world.

Memorable Destinations: Significant travel experiences provide lessons and memories that stay with us. Cultural immersion and experiences in different corners of the world broaden our perspectives and redefine our understanding of life.

Personal Transformation: The act of traveling transforms us. It allows us to discover ourselves beyond our comfort zones. The personal growth, self-exploration, and the profound impact global experiences have had on my own journey.

Relationships and Connections Formed:

Family and Friends: The relationships we build with our loved ones are essential in shaping our lives. The support received from family and friends has a considerable impact. The power of these connections and the lessons learned from interpersonal dynamics.

Romantic Relationships: Significant partnerships become integral chapters in our journey. Love and loss shape us in profound ways. Sharing personal experiences, I reflect on the growth and lessons gained through romantic relationships.

Business Connections: Networking and professional relationships can open doors and help shape our careers. Collaborations and shared experiences play a significant role in personal growth. The influence of business relationships and the connections formed.

Challenges Faced and Overcoming Obstacles:

Personal Trials: Life presents us with internal struggles that test our resilience and push us to discover our true selves. The personal trials faced, coping mechanisms employed, and the resulting personal growth.

Professional Challenges: The workplace often presents its own set of obstacles. Adapting and overcoming difficulties plays a crucial role in professional growth. Sharing personal anecdotes, I discuss challenging work environments and strategies employed to overcome them.

Life's Unexpected Events: Unforeseen circumstances can arise at any moment, testing our ability to adapt and thrive. The impact of unexpected events and how resilience and adaptability became essential tools in navigating life's surprises.

Continued Growth and Future Aspirations:

Lifelong Learning: The pursuit of knowledge is a lifelong endeavor. My current educational pursuits and personal development goals that continue to shape my journey.

Aspirations and Dreams: Looking towards the future, we set goals and dream big. Outlines your future plans and aspirations, detailing the strategies you aim to employ in achieving personal goals.

Conclusion:

Reflecting on the transformative nature of the journey, the roads we have traveled have shaped us into who we are today. The lessons learned, the challenges overcome, and the connections made have all contributed to our personal growth and self-discovery. Embracing the journey and all its ups and downs, we continue to evolve, making our mark along the road ahead.

Table of content

1. The Road I Have Travelled

2. All of Me

3. Poetry

4. We Are Better Together

5. Breakfast

6. Fall

7. Children

8. Little Bit of This, Little Bit of That

9. Fractured Promises

10. America

11. To Be or Not to Be

12. We Can’t do it Alone

13. Every Voice Count

14. Simple Living

15. Bridging Differences

16. A Day in the Life

17. If I had Three Wishes

18. If Walls Could Talk

19. Life in the Future

20. Thank You My Love

21. Forgiven, not Forgotten

22. No Money, No Life

23. A Love Story

24. The poetry of Caring

25. A Wise Man Once Said

26. Accept You for Who You Are

27. A Time Will Come

28. Hard to be a Woman

29. Let me be Clear

30. A Real Man

31. Peace

32. I Have Been Broken

33. At the End of the Day

34. Why I Left

35. Only Dead Fish go With the Flow

36. Everybody Isn’t Your Friend

37. Procrastination

38. Life is the Most Difficult Exam

39. 7 Rules of Life

40. Before you Assume

40 Judge Me When you are Perfect

41. Judge Me When you are Perfect

42. Never Beg for Love

43. I’m Just Me

44. If You Love Her

45. Common Sense

46. Today is a New Day

47. Clean, Fresh & Ready to Shine

48. To be Happy

49. Finding Yourself

50. Good News

51. Accidental Pregnancy

52. Dancing with My Ghost

53. Beneath the Hijab

54. Just Another Day

55. Heartbroken

56. The Echoes of Footstep

57. The Wail of a Child

58. You’re Worth Any Fight

59. A Crying Kiss

60. Distorted Sound

61. A Rainstorm

62. Laziness

63. The Taste of Smoke

64. The Widower

65. The Widow

66. Hugs from Behind

67. I’ll always Choose You

68. Read a Book

69. Chips and Dips

70. Open Wounds

71. New Plan

72. Aging

73. The Red Dress

74. Midnight

75. Addiction

76. Aphrodisiac

77. A Husband Who Loves Me

78. Candlelight

79. I Am Worthy of Love

80. This is My Year

81. Stop Blaming Others

82. Watching the Sunrise

83. Remember Why you Started

84. I am in Control

85. Dear Self

86. Rumors, Not True

87. Nothing is Permanent

88. Laws of Nature

89. Too Much can Hurt you so Much

90. Don’t Trust Too Much

91. Every Pain

92. True Words

93. A Prayer for My Father

94. She Let Go

95. We are a Team

96. I am Who I am

97. Maybe

98. A Chance to Love Again

99. To My Husband

100. Love, Laugh & Die

1.  The Road I Have Travelled

In the depths of twilight’s clandestine hour,

Upon the road I traveled, with weary steps of yore.

A path beset with trials, a tangle of unseen thorns,

Yet I pressed on, emboldened by hope reborn.

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The road I have traveled, a tapestry of scars,

Each step, a chapter etched upon my heart's memoir.

Through desolate deserts and tempestuous storms,

I sought solace in the whispers of a world forlorn.

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Oh, the road I have traveled, both treacherous and steep,

Yet it molded the warrior within, fierce and bold, not weak.

It bore witness to battles, both inward and out,

But I persevered, undeterred, armed with faith devout.

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Upon this road, I stumbled, and I fell,

Yet each failure became a tale to tell.

For in the depths of darkness, I found a guiding light,

A beacon of resilience, igniting my soul's fight.

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The road I have traveled, beseeches me to reflect,

On the moments that shaped me, the wounds I dissect.

Through labyrinthine twists and turns, I emerged anew,

A metamorphosis of self, as the old shed like morning dew.

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For in discovering the depths of my own soul,