The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 943

Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, Gardens and RetrEat centre, Earlier this morning I was listening to Damien O'Reilly on his excellent farming programme at 8am. One of the discussions centered around the mental health of farmers which is a very important issue or topic as farmers, many of which work on their own for long periods of time, work very long hours seven days a week which can put a lot of pressure on family life and relationships. As a farmer myself I understand this situation very well. What I found interesting in the discussion with a farm leader was that many areas were covered regarding help and counselling and so on. I was disappointed that there was no reference to prayer, peace or God. I am not being sanctimonious here but growing up in rural Ireland we always prayed first thing in the morning and last thing at night. We sprinkled Holy water on everyone who passed the threshold of the house, the cow house, the chicken house or the pig house. When we finished milking the cows we dipped our thumb in the cows milk and marked the sign of the cross on her back and blessed her and her milk. We blessed people we met, people who visited and they, us. This weave of blessings was constant and healing which was our mindfulness, our mental healing in the home parish. It was a constant recognition of being here and our rural minds being very spiritual did not see time or work as routine. Irrespective of our beliefs or religion we all belong to a deeper, divine order and we must look at life as an act of creative service. Today, I urge all farmers to pray as they go about their daily and family routine.

The Mindful Farmer

Patrick