Prayers and sense of contentment key to longevity

Dec 03, 2017 News

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By Kiana Wilburg
Centenarians are fountains of wisdom, intriguing stories of the past and hidden secrets to longevity.
Ishmael Alexander Hughes, who turned 100 on November 27, last, is a living testimony of this. He insists that reaching such a remarkable age is not by sheer luck, but rather God’s divine order over his life. He reflects that it is a sense of contentment and prayers that has guided him on the road to prolonged existence. In his interview with Kaieteur News, Hughes, who is a proud Israelite, shared some interesting aspects of his childhood days. Due to the appendages of old age, he is not as agile as he was in his young years, but he speaks with passion when it comes to his childhood memories of tap dancing and playing various ball games with neighbourhood friends. And at 100, he could still pull a few melodious notes of his own. He can speak ad nauseam about his love for singing hymns if you let him.
CHILDREN /FAMILY LIFE
Hughes, who resides in Number One Canal, is a firm believer in the power of family. And he has the evidence to prove it. The lover of religious texts shared that he has a dozen children that he knows of and close to 100 grandchildren. “Oh Gosh, I would not be able to tell you how many children I have, girl. I know of a dozen, but it might be more. As for my grandkids, that is almost 100 by know. And those are the ones I know of. There might be more.”He added, “I am a staunch Israelite and that said, we believe in big families. When you go to the beach and you push your hand in the sand and remove it, there are hundreds of grains of sand clinging to your hand. So why are you limiting yourself to just one? No man! Make babies! Make lots of babies!” The centenarian shared that there is an abundance of love that flourishes in the midst of big families, and he even encourages the younger generation to take this route.
A LIFE OF HARD WORK
Hughes shared that his life was one filled with instances of hard labour. But he never grumbled about it. He spoke glowingly of his days as a cane cutter during the colonial days and even post independence. He has racked up more than 40 years in the sugar industry. He stated that most of his time was spent between the Wales and Versailles Estates.
Apart from this, Hughes stated that he has worked in other fields; there were times when he fled to the interior making himself of use to those who needed semi-skilled labour. And when he was not doing that, he was cutting straw, to make hats which he would later sell.
Hughes shared that there was no shame in doing his jobs. He was proud of doing what needed to be done to support his family, once it was honest and did not prevent him from practicing his religious beliefs.
FAST AND PRAY
If you let him, Hughes would quote scriptures to you all day. Since he has aged, this centenarian spends most of his time immersed in devotion to the Lord, moments of reflection and citations of spiritual texts.
For him, there is no relationship that can be more fulfilling, uplifting and fortifying than one with the Creator. He insists that it is often the lack of spiritual alignment that results in many individuals giving into worldly temptations, be it materialistic or otherwise. With this in mind, Hughes said that he fasts at least 12 times a year. When he does, it is for three consecutive days without a drop of water or a morsel to eat. “It is called drying of the body. You fortify the body that way. You strengthen your control over your body. You also engage in a process of mental cleansing. It is important to fast this way because, you are pushed to your limits and you have to fight the cravings. This is easy for me now. I have been doing this for more than 80 years.”
DAILY ROUTINE
He might have slowed down a bit, but when it comes to his eating habits, not much has changed for Hughes.
“Girl, I eat everything except iron. Nothing has changed about my diet. I eat what I want. So it is not a change of diet that is responsible for my longevity…”
Hughes added, “I don’t do much now. I am home most of the times and I ensure that I take time out to speak with my family. They and the Lord are most important to me.”
ADVICE
Looking back, Hughes insists that he has no regrets. He stressed that he is contented that he has lived a life filled with happiness, love and unforgettable experiences.
His advice to youths includes: Long for nothing that isn’t yours; ‘Have no regrets’; ‘There is power in praying’; ‘Always express gratitude’; ‘Be kind to elders’; ‘Regardless of worldly possessions, you are no better than the man next to you’; ‘Don’t let a big payday erode your sense of dignity, integrity and sense of humility’.

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