The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary 317
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on day 27 of our latest lock down. This morning the neighbourhood is cold with the winter freeze but soon we will experience the death of winter and the birth of spring, but also this morning in Ballinwillin we mourn the death and passing of Joe Mulcahy our neighbour, a legend in the music business and a founding member of the famous Maurice Mulcahy Band. A band that gave huge enjoyment to thousands of people worldwide. This morning our prayers are with his family, friends and neighbours. Now destiny calls Joe to a place of music where his trumpet will sound again for all our spiritual enjoyment, where his heart will always remain generous, all heavenly doors will open to his musical light as you now quietly befriend your death and you have no need to fear. You are among your own orchestra in the big band with your pure white suit you are now equal to your destiny and nearer to Earths heart. Rest in peace Joe. Continue to pray, bless and power healing to all who need it and wear your smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 278
Yesterday I was all over the country delivering to Neighbour Food markets and private deliveries to our wonderful, loyal customers. My final set of deliveries brought me from Galway towards Clifden and back towards Maam cross and out Carraroe. At that stage of the day I was on the go for over 18 hours and I was feeling quite tired. It is the nature of our business at this time of year to be run off our feet with deliveries but suddenly as I faced in towards the Maamturk mountains it was as if the wild boar “toirc” were ready to greet me.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on the 17th day of our latest lock down. Yesterday I was all over the country delivering to Neighbour Food markets and private deliveries to our wonderful, loyal customers. My final set of deliveries brought me from Galway towards Clifden and back towards Maam cross and out Carraroe. At that stage of the day I was on the go for over 18 hours and I was feeling quite tired. It is the nature of our business at this time of year to be run off our feet with deliveries but suddenly as I faced in towards the Maamturk mountains it was as if the wild boar “toirc” were ready to greet me. If I can try and paint the picture that flashed in front of me – the stark, dark mountain range in front of me was suddenly lit up by a December sunset, flaming in colours of pink, red and orange and as it faded off to rest, it cast its shadow across the rusty meadows and grasses of Connemara that clothed the dark, damp rocks in their restful home. I know I haven’t painted this picture in the amazement of its present to me but I said to myself “what a beautiful country we have, what a beautiful moment I have experienced and what a great day to be alive”. I thanked God for his flash of genius for this moment that set my heart on fire. Continue to pray, bless and power healing to all who need it. Open your eyes to the beauty all around you and wear your beautiful smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 277
Last evening we had a conversation about what kind of people we be when this pandemic is over. As a child of rural Ireland I believe I still remain immersed in the soil where from I was created and where I will always be until I return home and I do realise I am at home with my inner self with very little attention about my outward appearance.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on the 16th day of our latest lock down. Last evening we had a conversation about what kind of people we be when this pandemic is over. As a child of rural Ireland I believe I still remain immersed in the soil where from I was created and where I will always be until I return home and I do realise I am at home with my inner self with very little attention about my outward appearance. As long as we have changes for the seasons and be comfortable then we don’t need to worry too much, just think of the birds as they fly, free and easy and in the now. When we are over anxious about externals and external issues it will limit the expression of who we really are. Look at the glow of every day. What could be more sacred or beautiful? My great hope for 2021 is that we will be a better people. More caring, more mindful and more peaceful. Continue to pray, bless and power healing to all who need it. Be mindful, be careful and wear your beautiful smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 276
Living today is a challenge for us all. Living during a pandemic tests all your resources. It takes great courage to survive a long pandemic. To live fully now means to trust that it will be enough because we are exactly where we are meant to be at this time.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on the 15th day of our newest lock down. Living today is a challenge for us all. Living during a pandemic tests all your resources. It takes great courage to survive a long pandemic. To live fully now means to trust that it will be enough because we are exactly where we are meant to be at this time. Living in and through each day makes us vulnerable but it can also bring peace and serenity when we surrender tomorrow in order to live through today and we will be happier and free. We will be more mindful and caring living in the now and at peace with your soul and spirit. Continue to pray, bless and power healing to all who need it and wear your beautiful smile. People who you meet need to see it, it is a warmth to their soul also.
Have a great Wednesday.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 275
I suppose we all take for granted awakening each morning. Do we give thanks for the beauty of a new dawn? For the gift of our eyes to see all this beauty of Mother Nature so that we can feel at home in our world?
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on the 14th day of our latest lock down. I suppose we all take for granted awakening each morning. Do we give thanks for the beauty of a new dawn? For the gift of our eyes to see all this beauty of Mother Nature so that we can feel at home in our world? Feel at home in the shores of a new dawn and all new possibilities. Our new awakening allows us to be grateful so we can draw from the harvest of our past experiences to fulfill our hunger and allows us to look forward toward the exciting possibilities of a new day. Continue to pray, bless and send power healing to all who need it and wear your loving smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 274
It is another Monday and the start of another week and facing into a hectic Christmas period. It is a time of gift giving and receiving, good will giving and receiving but it is only when we learn to receive and be open to be empty that we will get gifts such as understanding, appreciation of our friends and our loved ones, the ability to look anew at people and things that we may have taken for granted and a sense of gratitude we may have been given.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on the 13th day of our latest lock down. It is another Monday and the start of another week and facing into a hectic Christmas period. It is a time of gift giving and receiving, good will giving and receiving but it is only when we learn to receive and be open to be empty that we will get gifts such as understanding, appreciation of our friends and our loved ones, the ability to look anew at people and things that we may have taken for granted and a sense of gratitude we may have been given. So for the next 10-11 days and over the entire Christmas period lets shine a light on all who you meet and transfer energy and happiness to all you come in contact with. Continue to pray, bless and power healing to all who need it. Be mindful, be careful and wear your beautiful Monday smile and I know all Limerick people are smiling today after their fabulous All Ireland win yesterday. Well done to all!
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 273
Another Sunday, always a special day for The Mindful Farmer, a day to rest as much as possible. A day to give thanks and praise and above all to pray for all intentions and those of others. Also today is All Ireland Hurling Final day. My beloved county of Limerick is playing in the All Ireland Senior Hurling final against Waterford. Just think of this - in the middle of December - who would believe it? Yes it is happening in the middle of winter.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on the 12th day of our latest lock down. Another Sunday, always a special day for The Mindful Farmer, a day to rest as much as possible. A day to give thanks and praise and above all to pray for all intentions and those of others. Also today is All Ireland Hurling Final day. My beloved county of Limerick is playing in the All Ireland Senior Hurling final against Waterford. Just think of this - in the middle of December - who would believe it? Yes it is happening in the middle of winter. Many a strange event has happened during this pandemic year and yes we are surviving. Who would have thought this time last year that our world would have changed so much and that is one of the primary reasons we must have faith and live by it. The main reason I believe we have survived so well, so far is if we can create something positive even from our disappointments, then what can stop us? So on this restful, beautiful Sunday put positivity on top of your agenda and fill your hearts and minds with it. Continue to pray, bless and send power healing to each other and wear your Sunday best smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 271
It is a Friday and another end toward another week and another day for us to give thanks for. Yesterday was a very long day. From work, butchering, and then in to meet the great people hosting Neighbour Food markets. In one of my conversations with one of the wonderful hosts she referred to work ethic and how important it is to give the example of work ethic to all around us and live by that example. Then she asked me what legacy do I want to pass on? The discussion continued and we both agreed that we can’t be responsible for what our ancestors did or what was done to them.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on day 10 of our latest lock down. It is a Friday and another end toward another week and another day for us to give thanks for. Yesterday was a very long day. From work, butchering, and then in to meet the great people hosting Neighbour Food markets. In one of my conversations with one of the wonderful hosts she referred to work ethic and how important it is to give the example of work ethic to all around us and live by that example. Then she asked me what legacy do I want to pass on? The discussion continued and we both agreed that we can’t be responsible for what our ancestors did or what was done to them. We look at the recipe from their lives and then it is up to us to take the good things from your families past and then mix in our own ingredients and to give the next generation something inspirational , nourishing and delicious to build on by living in the now and our feet firmly placed on Mother Earth. Then at the end of our discussion we exchanged pleasantries again to meet again next week and I was on my merry way determined to contribute to our generational legacy.
Continue to pray, bless and power healing to all who need it and wear your beautiful smile. The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 270
The Mindful Farmer is quietly celebrating this morning as he, among a selected few, were guests of honour at a celebratory food honoring in Kinsale last evening at the wonderful Blue Haven hotel where management, owners and the entire team were celebrating the opening of their new and amazing restaurant called Rare.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on day 9 of our latest lock down. The Mindful Farmer is quietly celebrating this morning as he, among a selected few, were guests of honour at a celebratory food honoring in Kinsale last evening at the wonderful Blue Haven hotel where management, owners and the entire team were celebrating the opening of their new and amazing restaurant called Rare. It is an amazing feeling to have your food honored in such a wonderful and celebratory manner and I am so grateful and thankful that I have been guided in this direction to provide such wonderful food from my farm of healthy soil, healthy grass, healthy meat and being able to supply our wonderful loyal customers so that they can enjoy these products, fresh and organic, onto their kitchen table for the health of their family and friends. But now the show must go on and today is another day to live to the full and I will merrily do so as a very happy and mindful farmer. Continue to pray, bless and power healing to all who need it and wear your beautiful smile. Oh I nearly forgot, today is Thursday and the Farmers Journal day - more great news. God bless you all.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 269
This morning I am going to chat with you about “art”. Now you might all say what do I know about art and you may be right, but on the other hand I do know that we are all a work of art and beauty and I can see into the inner beauty of the many people I see on a daily basis. I can see the beauty that flows through people’s eyes, their smiles, expressions, gestures, peacefulness, warmth, joy and concern.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on day 8 of our newest lock down. This morning I am going to chat with you about “art”. Now you might all say what do I know about art and you may be right, but on the other hand I do know that we are all a work of art and beauty and I can see into the inner beauty of the many people I see on a daily basis. I can see the beauty that flows through people’s eyes, their smiles, expressions, gestures, peacefulness, warmth, joy and concern. All this beauty is within us all only to shine a light on it. We should focus our looks to our own image and not that of others. Going through life we all patch together a cloak of life experiences and the cloak is beautiful and a work of art and beauty. So for today, give yourself a huge hug inside your cloak of beauty and art.
Continue to pray, bless and power healing to all who need it and wear your beautiful smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 268
Going around the farm this morning I noticed that all the leaves are finally down and fallen and at the end of another life cycle. This is of course a natural life cycle for all deciduous trees and a time of rest. All living and growing things are part of a life cycle of endings and beginnings, planting and harvesting.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on day 7 of our newest lock down. Going around the farm this morning I noticed that all the leaves are finally down and fallen and at the end of another life cycle. This is of course a natural life cycle for all deciduous trees and a time of rest. All living and growing things are part of a life cycle of endings and beginnings, planting and harvesting. Just as it is in our life cycle and many of us have a fear of death which really is a resistance of the natural flow of life. Death is a natural transition into beauty and harmony. We should all walk to the gates and into a love filled new world tomorrow to a peace that is beyond all understanding. We all like to sleep after toil. Therefore while we are here walking on Mother Earths carpet lets be joyful, happy, mindful and caring. Continue to pray, bless and power healing to all who need it and wear your beautiful smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 267
Over the weekend I had a very interesting discussion with a mental health coach and councillor and it was about our perception of people and in particular the homeless who this lady works with and she was saying that our response affects all people and situations we come into contact with.
Good morning everyone and welcome once again to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre 6 days in to our latest lock down. Another Monday and yet another start to what can be a wonderful week. Over the weekend I had a very interesting discussion with a mental health coach and councillor and it was about our perception of people and in particular the homeless who this lady works with and she was saying that our response affects all people and situations we come into contact with. When people need help we just help unconditionally, no judging. If we treat people who are down on their luck and who still have huge potential within them, like all of us, then our response to them will be quite different and in turn that positive response will in turn help them to realize their own possibilities and then she finished by saying “it is only with the heart that one can see rightly what is invisible to the naked eye”. What a wonderful message for the week! Continue to pray, bless and power healing to all who need it and wear your lovely smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 266
Another beautiful Sunday and a wonderful day to be alive. Another day of rest begins. Time for us to consider how we live our lives and how we take care of ourselves and be supportive to others. Sunday is a time to take stock. It is our chance to embrace our destiny and do the small things in our lives with responsibility and courage and respect.
Good morning everybody and welcome to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on the fifth day of our new, relaxed lock down. Another beautiful Sunday and a wonderful day to be alive. Another day of rest begins. Time for us to consider how we live our lives and how we take care of ourselves and be supportive to others. Sunday is a time to take stock. It is our chance to embrace our destiny and do the small things in our lives with responsibility and courage and respect. We must promise ourselves for the coming week that we must be true to our inner wisdom and live life according to our own rhythm of Mother Nature and to listen to the inner music of the moment that allows us to dance within our hearts. On this Sunday, let your heart dance and continue to pray, bless and send healing to each other and wear your Sunday best smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 265
We all know that there are no perfect decisions in life. Life is never crystal clear. From time to time and over the years we have made decisions we regret, decisions we regret, decisions that led to making mistakes in life but when we rely on our heart and reflect on our sense of right and wrong and think less about what others would think of us or what they would choose then we are more free to make better and more worth while choices and decisions and that we have learned from our more experienced heart and gut, life becomes much happier for us.
Good afternoon everybody and welcome to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on the fourth day of our new, relaxed lock down. We all know that there are no perfect decisions in life. Life is never crystal clear. From time to time and over the years we have made decisions we regret, decisions that led to making mistakes in life but when we rely on our heart and reflect on our sense of right and wrong and think less about what others would think of us or what they would choose then we are more free to make better and more worth while choices and decisions and that we have learned from our more experienced heart and gut, life becomes much happier for us. Our own life lived in the now with a full and happy heart. So for today, fill your heart and the heart and the hearth of others with love and warmth. Continue to pray, bless and send healing to all who need it and wear your lovely smile. Have a lovely, peaceful and mindful Saturday.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 264
Every night before I retired I always go outside to say good night and good bye to the day and give thanks for the day also and then I turn to the inside and wish everyone in the house a restful, peaceful night and say a little prayer for them but as I faced the front door a candle lighting flickered and it welcomed me back inside.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on the third day of our new lock down. Every night before I retired I always go outside to say good night and good bye to the day and give thanks for the day also and then I turn to the inside and wish everyone in the house a restful, peaceful night and say a little prayer for them but as I faced the front door a candle lighting flickered and it welcomed me back inside. The candle was moving and burning almost in a not to welcome be back. It was calm and orderly and as I gazed at it there was a feeling of stillness suddenly inside me and what amazed me what that its centre was still and helping me centre my own place of inner peace where we can find and be at one with ourselves in the now. What a beautiful feeling to retire with.
Continue to pray, bless and send healing to all and wear your beautiful smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 263
This morning I thought to myself, after a very busy and pain ridden day yesterday, how beautiful and relaxing it is to sit down in the garden and admire the beauty around me. Looking at and admiring beautiful things such as plants, flowers and trees has immense healing power and when we admire the beauty of the roses and the red berried holly we quickly forget about the thorns and that’s how I feel about yesterday.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on the second day of our new lock down. This morning I thought to myself, after a very busy and pain ridden day yesterday, how beautiful and relaxing it is to sit down in the garden and admire the beauty around me. Looking at and admiring beautiful things such as plants, flowers and trees has immense healing power and when we admire the beauty of the roses and the red berried holly we quickly forget about the thorns and that’s how I feel about yesterday. Resting is not passive it is an activity that allows us to live our lives fully. We must allow our spirit to move within us and this helps our wellbeing and good decision making. We must learn to sit and look when nothing is to be seen and learn to speak in the silence of this wonderful universe.
Continue to pray, bless and send healing to all and wear your beautiful smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 262
I am coming to you much later than usual today for the following reasons:- the meat business has gotten very busy again thank God and secondly The Mindful Farmers bad back has erupted again and getting around in excruciating pain is very difficult but we are getting on with it and as my late and fantastic mother used to say “for Gods sake, don’t be complaining - you are so lucky to have your business” and she was right.
Good evening everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on the first day of our new lock down. I am coming to you much later than usual today for the following reasons:- the meat business has gotten very busy again thank God and secondly The Mindful Farmers bad back has erupted again and getting around in excruciating pain is very difficult but we are getting on with it and as my late and fantastic mother used to say “for Gods sake, don’t be complaining - you are so lucky to have your business” and she was right. It is wonderful at the end of each day no matter how difficult to say a little prayer for thankfulness. When us adults are too busy we have lost that ability to stop and stare. Is it no wonder that our sense of mystery is lost to us? If you look at children, they always have the time to look out and live in the now. We must do the same. It is never too late to recover our sense of now. It is as natural as breathing. When we do so we also see the eyes of the heart wonderment of all around us and Mother Nature. Continue to pray, bless and send healing to all and wear your beautiful smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 261
We are going to experience a new lease of freedom and a more relaxed living. We all hope it goes well and everyone behaves responsibly to protect our nation and our livelihoods. It is December 1st 2020. During this pandemic we have become less preoccupied with doing things and more with being and more with living in the now.
Good morning and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on day 41 of our new lock down. We are going to experience a new lease of freedom and a more relaxed living. We all hope it goes well and everyone behaves responsibly to protect our nation and our livelihoods. It is December 1st 2020. During this pandemic we have become less preoccupied with doing things and more with being and more with living in the now. We have become more attentive to our intuition and our gut feeling. We have become more attentive to what we are doing and by having the time during the past 9 months of Covid19 we have become more aware of our enormous resources and creativity. This time has also taught us “provided we are listening” to assume a more willing attitude towards life and become open, receptive and respectful rather than dominating, grasping and maybe rasping. It is now our time to give leading example between this and Christmas to look after people, be more mindful and caring and respect everyones right to a healthy future. Continue to pray, bless and power healing to all who need it. Be mindful, be caring and wear your lovely smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 260
Yesterday, Sunday, was a beautiful, restful day spent living in silence for a great part of the day. I was also admiring the last of the roses, also blooming in silence as they fade away to rest for the winter and take a well earned rest as they have delighted my heart and soul since May, but not only me, many others also.
Good morning and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on day 40 of our new lock down. Yesterday, Sunday, was a beautiful, restful day spent living in silence for a great part of the day. I was also admiring the last of the roses, also blooming in silence as they fade away to rest for the winter and take a well earned rest as they have delighted my heart and soul since May, but not only me, many others also. It is up to each of us to find this place of silence and inner peace. Oftentimes when we are upset, in trouble, wounded or broken we crawl to this place of inner peace and silence and it is through that emptiness we can find our way into the beauty that transforms us into strong, loving, wise and beautiful people. So for today, find your place of peace and inner silence and find your joy. Continue to pray, bless and power healing to all who need it. Be mindful, be caring and wear your lovely smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Day 259
It is another Sunday and you all know my views on Sundays and rest. In the story of Genesis it tells us that God created not just the world and all that is in it but also rest, and he commanded us to take rest. The Jewish religion teaches us that the Sabbath equalizes the rich and the poor because for one day at least they are free from the constraints of work and every day life.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on day 39 of our new lock down. It is another Sunday and you all know my views on Sundays and rest. In the story of Genesis it tells us that God created not just the world and all that is in it but also rest, and he commanded us to take rest. The Jewish religion teaches us that the Sabbath equalizes the rich and the poor because for one day at least they are free from the constraints of work and every day life. Their Sabbath also creates time to evaluate all work. It also gives us time to contemplate and meditate on the meaning of life. Today, the Sabbath and Sunday is more important than ever because we are now locked into a pandemic that is fraying us all at the edges and our society is in danger of over thinking and over working ourselves into illness. It is now time for us all on this day to lie down in green pastures of Mother Earth where we can listen to the dappling of quiet waters and restore our souls. Have a beautiful, mindful healing and peaceful Sunday. Continue to pray, bless and power healing to each other and wear your beautiful Sunday smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 258
Today I am going to speak to you about neighbours and acts of neighbourliness by some wonderful neighbours over the years. Of course there will always be exceptions but we won’t pay any heed on those. 99% of all people are wonderful.
Good morning and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on day 38 of our new lock down. It is wet and windy morning here this morning and yet we are gifted with another day which we can enjoy with all around us, friends, families, loved ones, and we should never take it for granted. Today I am going to speak to you about neighbours and acts of neighbourliness by some wonderful neighbours over the years. Of course there will always be exceptions but we won’t pay any heed on those. 99% of all people are wonderful. Being a neighbour back in West Limerick where I came from held a special title, had a special feel to it and everyone held the word “neighbour” with a deep sense of honour. We all lived in the countryside with plenty of space. We were all living and working very independently yet if anyone was in need of any kind of help or assistance everyone responded but the cry for help was always made in silence but the community responded intuitavely. We lived by the motto “do onto others as he would be done by, give and take and study the greatest happiness of the greatest number.” This is how a good neighbour would live by. I then moved to Dublin and further places and lived away from my beautiful country life to follow work in flats as they were called then and I always felt a deep sense of captivity until I returned to the countryside about 5 years later, a much happier person. When people move from their place of happiness and mass migrate to cities and towns for work a new type of creature is born. What is called “the next door neighbour” is born an it takes us all time to adjust to this type of living but we all have a duty to respect and honour each other and behave in a responsible manner. So ask yourself today - are you that type of neighbour or what type of neighbour are you? We can all improve for sure. Continue to pray, bless and power healing to each other and wear your lovely smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick