The Secrets of Healthy Living: 60 Years of Graceful Life

By Chinedum Nwadike

Be inspired on how to grow old gracefully and live a long and healthy life.

Learn from medical research and the views of community members.

Learn from Sister Chinedum Nwadike's experiences from her childhood in Igboland of eastern Nigeria to her many years as a missionary in the USA and UK.

S

• Language: English
• Publisher: Chinedum Joachim Konye Nwadike
• Release date: Dec 21, 2022
• ISBN: 9781802279993

Book preview

eBook.jpg

The Secrets of Healthy Living

The Secrets of Healthy Living

60 Years of Graceful Life

2nd Edition

By

Chinedum Joachim Konye Nwadike

(Roseann)

Copyright © 2022 by Chinedum Joachim Konye Nwadike

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner without written permission of the copyright owner except for the use of quotations in a book review. For more information, address: [e-mail]

FIRST EDITION

ISBNs:

978-1-80227-999-3 (eBook)

978-1-80541-000-3 (paperback)

Recommendation

I am hereby recommending, and do authorize, the second publication of this amazing and inspiring book, The Secrets of Healthy Living: 60 Years of Graceful Life by Chinedum Joachim Konye Nwadike (Roseann).

I have given the go ahead to produce more upgraded copies of this second edition to the general public. Enjoy this book and let it enhance your lives.

Chinedum Joachim Konye Nwadike

The Holy Family Sisters of the Needy (HFSN)

About the Author

The author is Chinedum Joachim Konye Nwadike of the Holy Family Sisters of the Needy (HFSN). She is an indigenous daughter of Orlu Town in the Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State in Igboland of south-eastern Nigeria. A naturalized citizen of the USA, she earned her PhD degree in psychology from Lacrosse University, Louisiana, USA. She is involved in missionary work in London, UK. She helps vulnerable young mothers who experience crises in pregnancy. She is also a childcare practitioner.

Sister Chinedum was the first zonal superior of the HFSN, English zone, UK. She is the author of three books: Building Up Self-Confidence: A Fundamental Way of Conquering Fear, The Pride of My Family: A Journey of Life Fulfillment, and Ancestral Legacy of Family Counselling: The Wisdom of Our Parents.

She can be reached at: [e-mail]

Dedication

Dedicated to my parents: Mr. Mmuoegbulem Konyezuruyahu John Nwadike and Mrs. Ojukwu Agim Monica Konye Nwadike. Also, to my elderly brother, Mr. Ikechi Sylvester Konye, and my cousin, Chukwuemeka Simeon Basil Nwadike.

Acknowledgments

Remembering my father, Papa Mmuoegbulem Konye John Nwadike, and my mother, Mama Ojukwu Agim Monica Konye Nwadike, whom, in your years of suffering, raised me and my siblings amid your low income and non-conventional education. Without these essential enforcements, you were able to train me in conventional education up to the level that I am using my knowledge to educate others as I grow gracefully to 60 years of age. Mom and Dad, you are remarkable in your deeds. I remain ever so grateful and proud of you. May you rest in the peace of God. Amen.

It is obvious that publishing a book requires a team effort and loving kindness, as well as talented experts who are supportive as well as experienced. I am deeply appreciative to all those I contacted when I was first inspired to write this fourth book. Thanks enormously.

Thanks immensely to those who contributed hugely to the success of this production.

My heartfelt gratitude goes to my brother-in-law, Engineer Declan Onyeajuwu, for writing the foreword for this book. May God reward you tremendously.

I thank my nephew, Reverend Father Leonard O. Dim, immensely for writing the biography. More graceful years in the vineyard of the Lord. Amen.

I am so delightful to Patrick Walsh and his team for publishing the first edition of this book; you made my expectations a reality. Thanks very much.

Thank you to all those readers who will find this book, The Secrets of Healthy Living, useful and find it improves the quality of their life, especially those who are afraid of aging. Old age is not a sickness; it is wisdom and a blessing from the above.

I thank all the old graceful happy people who contributed to my writing. May you continuously age benevolently.

I thank all my team at various prayerful vigils, knowing how you enhance my life greatly. Many thanks to the Good Counsel Network and my religious institution for giving me the opportunity to work for life in the United Kingdom. May all of us live healthily and gracefully as we continue to fight for the rights of unborn babies.

I thank all my siblings, nephews, nieces, and cousins for your support and prayers. God bless you all.

Chinedum Joachim Konye Nwadike, HFSN

Beckton, London, United Kingdom

Monday April 18, 2018. Celebrating my sixtieth birthday

Contents

Recommendation

About the Author

Acknowledgments

Author Biography

Foreword

Preface

Introduction

Chapter One: How to Design a Lifetime That Prevails Successfully Stage by Stage Till Old Age

Summary of a Child’s Developmental Growth

Why Do We Grow Old? What Are the Factors That Enable Us to Age dynamically?

Six Steps to Growing Old Gracefully and Healthily (Simplyhealth, 2014)

Chapter Two: Plan for a Happy Retirement

Six Ways to Prepare for a (Much) Longer Retirement (Kadlec, 2015, p. 32)

How Can I Afford to Live to 100 Years?

Chapter Three: Aging Gracefully as From TIME’s Living Longer Series—The New Age of Much Older Age

(a) Living Longer: Culture

(b) Living Longer: Science

(c) Living Longer: Cities

(d) Living Longer: Biology

(e) Living Longer: Psychology

(f) Living Longer: Brain

(g) Living Longer: Presidents

(h) Living Longer: Diet

(i) Living Longer: Marriage

(j) Living Longer: Opinion

Chapter Four: Individual Views on Growing Old Gracefully

Chapter Five: Conclusion

Bibliography

Author Biography

healthy-living-7

Roseann Nkechinyere Konye Nwadike is a daughter of the Ndiowerre village in the Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State in south-eastern Nigeria. She is the fourth among the seven surviving children of Mr. Konye Mmuoegbulem John Nwadike and Mrs. Ojukwu Monica Konye Nwadike. She was born on April 18, 1958.

Although she was raised in a non-Christian family, her parents allowed her to become a Catholic. As a child, she was brought up according to the Catholic traditions. Having become fully initiated into the Catholic community, Roseann, as she was named in baptism, later joined the Catholic Girls League. This is an order of young Catholic girls dedicated to following in the footsteps of the Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus. The other groups she joined as a young girl were the Confraternity of the Christian Doctrine (CCD) which enabled her to teach catechism to both children and adults at Holy Trinity Church, Orlu, now called Holy Trinity Cathedral Parish, Orlu. She taught catechism to many children who were preparing for their holy communion and for confirmations for a long period of time. It is recorded that several of those who were filled with the faith who passed through the process have become reverend fathers and religious sisters. Among them was her nephew, Reverend Father Leonard Dim. She was also an active member of the St. Anthony of Padua Society. It was through her service with the society that she obtained the inspiration to serve the poor and the needy. Today, she continues to be highly involved as a member of the Holy Family Sisters of the Needy.

Although she was highly engrossed in religious movements, she did not neglect her social life as a member of her community. In her village, she became the leader of the Umuoma Ndiowerre dance group. She was so renowned for dancing that her community likened her to her mother, one of the most talented dancers of the time, becoming famous in the town. However, Roseann was not only known for her dancing abilities; she was also known for her wisdom and her thoughts using many proverbs learned and handed down from her parents. Among other things, she believes and enjoys the rich and wonderful traditions and this earned her the love and admiration of the then traditional ruler of Orlu, the late Igwe Patrick Acholonu, the Ezeigwe (king) of Orlu autonomous community. She is fond of the late Ezeigwe of Orlu.

She started her primary school education after the Nigeria-Biafra 1967–1970 Civil War at Practicing School 1 Orlu and completed her primary six at Premier Primary School, Amike in Orlu LGA. On the completion of primary school, she obtained her First School Leaving Certificate. She later continued her secondary education at Ihioma Girl’s Secondary School, Orlu LGA for the next five years. At Ihioma Girl’s Secondary School, she did not forget what she learned at home: to be the best example to other students. As a reward for her good behavior, Roseann was made prefect of her various classes from class one to class five. She also achieved a Certificate of Role Model Honor, issued only to the best behaved in class.

After her secondary school course, she learned how to type on old typing machines. Her typing skills, combined with hard work, enabled her to be self-employed. Soon, her typing skills opened a variety of opportunities for her to secure other jobs at Nneji and Sons Printing Press in Orlu Town. As it is said, one good turn deserves another. After one year of service at the printing press, she was nursing another great desire. This time, a desire to serve. Not in another printing press, but in a religious community. Soon came her time to choose her religious order. She had always known that God called her to serve Him among the poor and the needy. Thus, she left the secular life for a religious life to become who she is today—Reverend Sister Chinedum, meaning God leads me. Reverend Sister Chinedum made her application to join the newly founded women’s religious order by the name of the Holy Family Sisters of the Needy at Nekede, Owerri, Imo State in south-eastern Nigeria. Accepted by the Holy Family Sisters of the Needy, she was trained and made her first religious commitment on August 22, 1990. It was in her first religious commitment that she took a new name: Chinedum Joachim.

In 1991, Sister Chinedum was sent to the United States of America for mission work and studies. She achieved success in her studies and obtained an associate degree in Medical Secretarial Diploma with honors at Lackawanna College, Pennsylvania, USA. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in computer information systems from Strayer University, Washington, D.C., USA. Sister Chinedum returned to Nigeria and made her final religious commitment on September 2, 1995 and went back to study in the USA, earning a Master of Science in business administration with excellence honors from Strayer University, Washington, D.C., USA. Also, at Lacrosse University, she enrolled for her doctoral degree at the College of Behavioral Sciences and Psychology, obtaining a PhD with honors summa cum laude. She also obtained the State of Maryland Board of Nursing Assistant Certification and the District of Columbia Nursing Assistant Certification from the University of the District of Columbia, Washington, D.C., with a specialty in working with elderly people at the Providence Hospital, Washington, D.C. branch of Carroll Manor. She also worked at the Institute of Psychotherapy with children with challenging behavioral issues. Being religious, Sister Chinedum has mostly worked with people with various life issues.

In the USA, she combined her spiritual life with brave work despite all odds. In the Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, D.C., she became involved with the Igbo Catholic community as their chaplain, teaching catechism and preparing children as well as adults for the reception of holy sacraments. She held the post of assistant coordinator of the Igbo children catechism group. She was best remembered as the liturgical coordinator and directress of the Igbo Lay Readers’ Association. She was also the spiritual director for the Igbo Catholic Women’s Association of Blessed Tansi, Washington, D.C. As a result of her faithful commitment and hard work with the Nigerian/Igbo Catholics, Sister Chinedum was awarded an inscribed plaque in her honor. Describing Sister Chinedum in terms of her hard work and committed life pattern would be paying a great tribute to her ever-loving parents. She learned from her parents to work before harvesting in life. In the role of her ardent efforts, Sister Chinedum worked her way through the strict immigration lines and became a citizen of the United States of America. During her process of acquiring her citizenship, she was called upon to provide her fingerprints and asked to take a US history exam on the same day. However, being a person who does not take chances, she has always prepared herself for all circumstances of life. True to her unsurprising nature, she took the citizenship test and scored 100 percent. In her theology of life, she would always believe that, with God, all things are possible and with the mystery of possibilities, one can always conquer impossibilities.

Sister Chinedum is also revered as one who is obedient and one who respects authority. Being an American citizen did not deter her from moving to the United Kingdom when she was asked to be a missionary there by the superior general of her congregation. While in Britain, Sister Chinedum took the Life in the UK exam and passed it, and she secured her UK permanent resident permit. Staying in the UK was a lot of fun for her as she worked tirelessly with the Good Counsel Network apostolate in taking care of vulnerable single young mothers, becoming their assistant house manager. This led her to enroll in a Module 4 Counselling Skills course in Cambridge Open College to enable her to help the young mothers in pregnancy crises.

Later, she left for Lancaster and embarked on the new Evangelization Ministry in 2015 for a few months. One of the sister’s philosophies is constant self-improvement which she always followed in achieving her fundamental goals.

On February 11, 2013, she enrolled in the Association of Christian Counselling Membership to help those in everyday crises as part of her mission. Sister Chinedum goes to the abortuary center (abortion clinics) weekly to counsel pregnant ladies who intend to go for an abortion. Through this mission, she has saved many babies from being aborted. She organized meetings and talked to all the vulnerable mothers at least once every month. She has also extended her spiritual activities to St. Pius X Catholic Church where she served as a liturgical reader and a spiritual directress for the Legion of Mary of Our Lady of Good Counsel presidium. Sister Chinedum, as a devoted religious woman, is always keen to help the faithful wherever they need counsel. In her former church, Saint Mary Magdalen, Willesden Green in London, she was commissioned a Eucharistic minister for the sick. Sister Chinedum worked at Windsor Primary School with Play With Us Childcare Provision, East Ham, Manor Way, UK for seven years. She also did volunteer work at St. Joachim’s Catholic Primary School, London as an assistant teacher. Presently, Chinedum works as a childcare practitioner in the UK. As a dedicated leader, she was promoted to the leadership of her religious community in the UK and became the first zonal superior of the Holy Family Sisters of the Needy (English zone) and the first chair of the HFSN board of trustees for the HFSN charity, UK as well as her community local superior. At present, she is in charge of the HFSN apostolate in London combine with pastoral visit of the sick. Her belief in the mystery of possibilities leads the way to her success in life. She has always been successful in life even though she was brought up in a home where neither of her parents had a formal education. She dedicated herself to academic hard work through self-discipline. Her parents were non-Christians, yet she became the first reverend sister in her village, Ndiowerre. This is another affirmation of her philosophical belief in the mystery of possibilities. There is an Igbo proverb which says, Onye kwe chi ya kwe meaning, If one agrees, one’s God consents. With her advice, Chinedum would say, Do not sleep; awake and work yourself up. She is dedicated to time management. She has used her time well and attributes her success in life to this. She has urged young people to plan their time well in order to be successful in life because, for her, experience is always the best teacher.

Reverend Father Leonard O. Dim Author’s Nephew

Ordained a Catholic Priest of Palm Beach, Florida, USA.

July 28, 2014

Foreword

I am pleased to contribute the foreword to this book, The Secrets of Healthy Living: 60 Years of Graceful Life.

This is a unique book which will highlight the hidden treasures that enable one to grow old gracefully. This book provides readers with authoritative, authentic, and innovative advice for a healthy long-life lifestyle. The goal here is to keep you informed about the latest developments in natural healing, medical research, alternative healthcare practice, and the use of herbs that contain antioxidants and contribute toward nutrition and fitness. We cut through the confusion of today’s conflicting health reports to deliver clear and concise health information that is updated for the twenty-first century. For example, coffee and eggs were before an anathema (abhorrence) to those concerned with health but now are acceptable health-inducing food items. Pomegranate is a newly discovered and highly efficacious fruit, good for the immune system and is conducive to good health and well-being. The book explains the new developments so you can take the necessary practical steps to improve your health and well-being. Every recommendation is based on reliable sources including interviews with qualified health authorities, university studies, and research carried out by doctors, scientific researchers, and scientists. Recommendations and facts are checked for accuracy, especially in regards to the dosages of the drugs prescribed. The advice in this book is based on helping you to be well-informed about your personal choices in healthcare, as well as helping you lead a happier, healthier, and longer life. It is therefore sensible to understand and apply these principles in order to attain a long life. This book has provided all the information necessary to live a long life gracefully while passing through the unavoidable pain of old age. Research has shown that your outlook can change according to your age, which in turn depends on how you get your success. One study has demonstrated that a single day of mindfulness meditation practice can affect a gene that codes pro-inflammation—one of the main drivers of aging. Another piece of research has found, most remarkably, that the telomeres within your cell—the little cuffs that cap the chromosomes and erode over your lifetime—can be made to grow longer, provided your mind is in the right state through meditation, to prolong your lifespan. It comes down to daily behavior and the choices we make, said Elissa Epel, a professor of psychiatry at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) who studied stress and aging.

Deciding to live better is deciding to live younger. The question is: what diet helps people live the longest gracefully? The priority is a diet that prevents diseases, especially heart disease. Moreover, more research is needed before anyone’s diet can be effective as the key to a long healthy life. A diet low in sugar and high in plants, nuts, fruits, fat, and some proteins is a good idea. All the same, a healthy diet seems to have made a difference in the lives of people on the Japanese island of Okinawa. The Okinawans consume about 20 percent fewer calories than the people living on the Japanese mainland. With 185 people in every million reaching the age of 100 or more, Okinawa has the highest number of centenarians in the world. The Okinawans have a diet that is rich in fish oils, soy products, and vegetables foodstuffs that are known to have beneficial effects on health. Their dietary restriction does not mean they suffer from malnutrition. A restricted diet contains all the right vitamins and minerals, though their energy value is lower than normal. Our African ancestors said that an elderly person boasted of inherited longevity, but the old person forgot to realize that long life is only possible if there are sustainable resources or relatives taking care of that person. We know that longevity is earned, not inherited, by eating well and by doing all that is necessary to prolong life.

Engineer Declan Onyeajuwu

(Author’s Brother-in-Law)

Preface

Wise Igbo elders say, An elderly man who claims that all members of his family always reach old age, does not know that old age must be fed and sustained by a career. This means one has to prepare for old age if one intends to live for a long time by saving—building a nest egg—so that, on retirement, one is maintained by one’s own resources, otherwise a long life is not viably sustainable. It has been said that we are programmed to change our bodies from boyhood to youth and then to old age. The Indian Veda (ancient sacred scripture) says:

As the embodied soul continually passes from this body from boyhood to youth and then to old age, the soul similarly passes into another body at death. As a person puts on new garments giving up old ones, similarly the soul accepts new material bodies, giving up the old and useless ones.

The change of the body by the individual soul is an accepted fact by some individuals endorsed by scientists who accept the continuous changes of bodies which appear from childhood to boyhood, from boyhood to youth, and again from youth to old age. It is believed that from old age the change is to another body. The transference of the individual soul is made possible by the grace of the super-soul—God. The adage of Igboland of eastern Nigeria says, An elder man has survived till the end of the year, but he has also endured many illnesses. There are many techniques to promote and prolong life. One must do those things mentioned above in order to extend life. By the right applications of diet, exercise, and an addition of food supplements, one can age gradually and pleasantly. Our bodies degenerate every day but with adequate nutritious diets, our bodies are revived. One must be properly prepared with savings before retiring to ensure a longer lifespan. For it is said, One who has money can have food. Those who build on rock mass have no fear when it rains. A wise man says, Money makes old men. In the USA, people say, when E. F. Hutton speaks, money speaks, people listen. Money is the mainstay of a longer graceful life. This saying is in accordance with modern scientific research. That is why when a child is born, he or she must be brought up by proper child-rearing practices so as to ensure he or she is put on a sure footing conducive to his or her proper development into intelligent adulthood, ready to tackle life’s daily tasks and challenges. Regular smooth aging is not guaranteed by mere wishful thinking. It is attained by thorough planning and working hard, by leaving no stone unturned as to create a successful life. One has to know what is required to live the right life. There are many suggestions of what to do to prolong life but what is essential is putting some of the scientifically proven methods into practice. Eat recommended diets with appropriate supplements of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, exercise 30 to 60 minutes daily, as well as daily prayer and meditation; that is what is required in a nutshell.

Having been born, grown, and lived in a happy home and experienced myself dignifiedly aging gradually, I am motivated to share with you the techniques of graceful aging. This book, The Secrets of Healthy Living: 60 Years of Graceful Life, is a book for all, whether old or young. It is a book that will teach you how to manage your life and age peacefully. This book will play an essential role in your journey toward self-enhancement and graceful growth. It will also provide positive ideas that will improve your ability toward handling your life with care. It will provide you with the methods of self-prestige that uplift your total being.

In this book, I intend to help you develop within yourself the skills of forming the habit of taking proper care of yourself and ridding yourself of all those habits that inhibit you from growing smartly. This is not something that is difficult to do. It needs hard work, self-motivation, as well as paying attention to how others have lived, and are living, their lives to age gracefully. You could also interview people who are aging graciously and listen attentively to people’s talks on graceful aging to gain more insight. Listen to them and make them your role models.

Marc Woods was a former British swimmer, and British Paralympic medal winner. His leg was amputated yet he was able to swim. In his book titled Personal Best: How to Achieve Your Full Potential, he advocated to readers to have role models and mentors. Therefore, he advised his readers to copycat their role model. Thus, I urge you as well to copycat those people who strive to live a charming life. Also, read inspirational books on healthy living that will help you live better and longer lives. You have a fabulous opportunity and the resources to grow graciously. Positive thinking offers you the power to help you handle whatever life offers to you. Why