Hop in, grab a drink and let’s get this party started. You are most welcome do make yourself comfortable. Refreshments are nicely arranged down the page: Drinks, Chocolates, Cakes, Donuts, freshly …
Stumbling Forward…personal
![1462112543200[1]](https://acookingpotandtwistedtales.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/14621125432001.jpg)
Obstacles. No single existence is devoid of hurdles to jump as they journey through their path in life and these encompasses all living things. The strength of a plant is predetermined from the state of its seed, thus even before we make our grand entry into this World, we possibly started our struggles right from the womb that bore us.
These hurdles come in different forms and in various shapes and sizes. Some knock us so hard on our backside, flat on our faces or at the cusp of a precipice where we are left grasping for release from the clenching holds that threatens to suffocate us to death.
Every human enjoys having a good sense of well-being and in the midst of these trials, a human can literally clutch at straws in the bid to stand upright. They either turn to the bottle, drugs or the Lord, seeking for strength.
Severe depression and suicide are the end result of a life that finds no glimmer of hope at the end of the turbulence that they are passing through. At that point in time, it seems as if the demons that they battle overwhelms and the only way to end the torment would be to stop living.
I have been in very deep pits. I have battled mental health, mental torture, and depression. There have been points in my life where the misery that permeated every pore of me was a living, breathing pain.
One of the instances, I would briefly share for now is when I lost my pre-term child. Please believe me when I say that the pain is beyond words. I carried this beautiful being inside me, but for some reason that I don’t know, I left the hospital after hours of horrendous labour with empty hands.
Fortunately, I have no head for drinks, no penny for drugs and never felt suicidal. I clung to the Cross and to writing. With every fibre in me, I held on and my husband held me.
God, family, friends, books and writing, have been my greatest support. When I am crossing one of my many rivers, I look up above, I look around me and I look forward. Life is a constant battlefield in our minds and except we personally buffer ourselves and wage an onslaught to find peace, we remain subjugated by these trials.
What I have learnt over the years is not to wait for the boat to get rocked, but to be mentally prepared to steer the boat as it rocks, so that I don’t capsize.
A couple of books that helped me when I struggled through these obstacles are, The battlefield of the mind, Your best life begins each morning, Purpose driven life, Women Of Faith Bible and lots more.
Writing my own books has been a challenge of doubt, of wondering if I am good enough. Of constantly questioning myself about who would want to be bothered to read my words when there are billions of books out there, but you know what, I said to myself, Jacqueline, you may not get it right, you may not be the best out there, but my girl, you are definitely more than good enough.
So that’s another hurdle jumped. Publishing my first poetry book is a positive affirmation that indeed, I might stumble in my quest but instead of the obstacles making me fall behind, they will cause me to stumble forward and give me some fulfilment.
Buying my book will go a long way to support me and clicking to purchase from any of those links will possibly earn me a commission of a few cents, but this is yet another curve in my journey. Finding ways to break through the obstacle and earn from the sweat of my brow.
© Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha
Obstacles, The Discover Challenge
The Compass Of Your Life..Guest post from Alicia James.
THE COMPASS OF YOUR LIFE
Permit me to say: Your life’s a product of your THOUGHTS that become BELIEFS, BELIEFS that become ACTIONS, and ACTIONS that form CHARACTER. That’s why sages advice against accommodating filth as a tenant in your mind because of it’s ability to transform into the landlord of your mind.
Sadly enough, a lot of us sail through life without a Life Compass. We either adopt a ” go with the wind” or “choose to have a one-dimensional view of life” mentality. Hence, my problem with people who conform to certain principles without questioning their existence. There’s a possibility that with changing trends, those principles have developed loopholes and are in need of modification. That’s a topic for another day.
Let me explain the beauty of your life. As individuals, we require a Life Compass and a Life Map to navigate through life successfully. Why? Maps were created as guides to unfamiliar territories explored by foreigners, eliminating the probability of getting lost along the way. Thank God for technology today, we have Google Maps and GPS systems.
“But it still doesn’t explain why I need a Life Map”. From birth to death, every stage in your life has a guide to ease your transition from one stage to the next. At every juncture, your Life Map serves as a guide to your final destination.
“Sounds like a Life Map’s all I need, why include a Life Compass”? Your Life Compass gives direction and intention to your life; it’s like a pen that fills the blank pages of your life. When you’re torn between making certain decisions, your Life Compass can guide you in making your choice. It will shock you to know that most of the confusion, guilt, lack of purpose and dissatisfaction we feel and experience in our life’s journey are caused by the absence of a Life Compass. Simply put, The Life Map serves as a guide; the Life Compass keeps you on the true path.
“Ok, I get the message, so how do I develop a Life Compass”?
Well, it’ll require lot’s of self-reflection (as cliché as it sounds) to enable you determine your Life Purpose and evaluate your Life Principles. For those that struggle with self-knowledge, this helps you connect with your inner self.
Understand that your Life Purpose is different from your Life Project. Your Life Purpose is not: ” To be the next Ben Carson” or “To find the cure for AIDS” that’s a Life Project you assigned to yourself. Your Life Purpose is the reason for your creation, what’s most important to you, successful
Your Life Purpose is the reason for your creation, what’s most important to you.A compass has four cardinal directions which in this case represents the four most important principles that guide your life. The most important of these four is your North Direction which is your Life Purpose. This serves as a reference point no matter where you’re headed in life. Therefore, this determines your other three directions.
A compass has four cardinal directions which in this case represents the four most important principles that guide your life. The most important of these four is your North Direction which is your Life Purpose. This serves as a reference point no matter where you’re headed in life. Therefore, this determines your other three directions.
The most important of these four is your North Direction which is your Life Purpose. This serves as a reference point no matter where you’re headed in life. Therefore, this determines your other three directions.
The beautiful thing about your Life Compass is that it’s not set in stone i.e a final representation of your life but it is the best reflection of your values and belief systems in the present moment. As you journey through life, you revisit it and modify it.
It may sound difficult and confusing right now. You probably don’t know how to start, that’s okay. The answers you seek are within you. No one can give them to you.
At the end of your life, how would you like your story to be told?
Alicia James
Hey there, I like to call myself as a delightful soul.
I am on a journey of self discovery and I enjoy blogging because it helps me connect with the world through my words as I share my thoughts and experiences as well as that of others
Alicia is a young budding blogger (a fine blend of a Niche Expert & Lifestyle blogger) with a lot of enthusiasm and inspiration. You can meet her at her blog Alicia James to get a better glimpse of her World.
Would you like to guest post or an interview? Feel free to contact me through my contact page or on email: JacquelineObyIkocha@gmail.com
Some Doggy Admiration…
I’ll take the admiration lenses off humans and turn it to the dogs. In this instance, it’s literally gone to the dogs.
Dogs are such intelligent, warm, loving and loyal creatures. They make good friends and listeners too.
I could write a long story, but I’ll just leave a few of my dog-watching pictures where two dogs are admiring each other 🙂
![1462077648812[1]](https://acookingpotandtwistedtales.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/14620776488121.jpg)
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![1462077779603[1]](https://acookingpotandtwistedtales.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/14620777796031.jpg)
© Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha
Admiration, The Daily Post Photo Prompt
PARTY still going on strong…Come join us let’s skip to the base
It’s Party Time!!! Come right in 👡👢👞🎶
Hop in, grab a drink and let’s get this party started. You are most welcome do make yourself comfortable. Refreshments are nicely arranged down the page: Drinks, Chocolates, Cakes, Donuts, freshly …
There You Are! Come Right Into the party, We’ve Been Waiting For You…
It’s Party Time!!! Come right in 👡👢👞🎶
![Juice[1]](https://acookingpotandtwistedtales.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/juice11.jpg)
Hop in, grab a drink and let’s get this party started.
You are most welcome do make yourself comfortable.
Refreshments are nicely arranged down the page: Drinks, Chocolates, Cakes, Donuts, freshly squeezed juice, Coffee, Tea and so much more. 
We even have an Intercontinental Chef in the house. Go right ahead  and place your orders
Just the little rules of play:
- You must mix and mingle with others. Don’t be a wallflower. Go say hello to someone and you can participate in the Tag a poem up above.
- Â Please leave your blog link or post link in the comment box below along with introductions.
- It’s one link per comment, but come back as often as you’d like, that way it’s easier to focus on a link at a time for others.
- Please reblog, spread the word of the party like butter, or like, share on Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, Facebook, etc. Tell…
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It’s Party Time!!! Come right in 👡👢👞🎶
![Juice[1]](https://acookingpotandtwistedtales.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/juice1.jpg)
Hop in, grab a drink and let’s get this party started.
You are most welcome do make yourself comfortable.
Refreshments are nicely arranged down the page: Drinks, Chocolates, Cakes, Donuts, freshly squeezed juice, Coffee, Tea and so much more.
We even have an Intercontinental Chef in the house. Go right ahead  and place your orders
Just the little rules of play:
- You must mix and mingle with others. Don’t be a wallflower. Go say hello to someone and you can participate in the Tag a poem up above.
- Â Please leave your blog link or post link in the comment box below along with introductions.
- It’s one link per comment, but come back as often as you’d like, that way it’s easier to focus on a link at a time for others.
- Please reblog, spread the word of the party like butter, or like, share on Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, Facebook, etc. Tell your family, friends, Â blogging neighbours, even your blogging pets.
- Have fun, it’s a great way to find bloggers and have them find you.
- Please show some love. Reblog this post. It helps all of us! The more people that see and participate in it, the more potential new follows! So, share and share voraciously!
There we have it. Since all the rules have been clearly explained, have fun and make the most of it
Thank you for coming to my party and supporting my blog. You rock.
© Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha.
Below are little games you might want to participate in while you imbibe all the food, drinks, and good music.
Attempt the Riddle, exercise your brain
A farmer is trying to cross a river with a bag of corn, a hen, and a fox. The farmer’s boat is only big enough to take himself and one other item per trip. The hen cannot be left alone with the corn or she will eat it. Likewise, the fox cannot be left with the hen, or the hen will be eaten. How does the farmer get all three items across the river?
Spot the difference
Add to the story below
He read the letter for the third time, Â shook his head and slammed his palm on the wooden desk.
The poor old desk groaned under the force of his strength.
“Someone has a question to answer,” Hunter growled.
…..You can continue from here 🙂
Entertainment is this way. We don’t skimp on things in my house, so please help yourself 🙂
![1461995866173[1]](https://i0.wp.com/acookingpotandtwistedtales.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/14619958661731.jpg?w=217&h=217&crop=1&ssl=1 "1461995866173[1]")
Fresh Bake
Juice
A delicious platter
Delicious macaroons
Sweet stuff
Pie
Yummy and fresh
A cool glass of beer
Party Favour
Finally!! Here it is! My First Published Book and I am bawling out my eyes and smiling at the same time.
I feel a deep sense of release. I don’t know how to express my thoughts. It’s been a climb and sometimes a dip, but I knew that one day, I will arrive at this juncture.
Except I sit with you over a cup of tea, maybe only then will you really understand my journey – one day, I shall speak of these things.
To all those who have supported me to this point, I remain ever grateful. You have no idea what your friendship means to me and how far it’s taken me.
I present to you – even though some of you had a sneak cover peek, it was tweaked a bit – my poetry book. I laughed writing some, I bled writing some, I sighed writing some and I cried writing some.
It’s all Glory to Him. He made it possible.
It’s available on Amazon-Kindle and Smashwords and…
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a cooking pot and twisted tales 