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 380
It is up to each and every one of us to be kind, gracious and helpful to each other, both in families and communities, and to reach out with loving and helpful hands to heal the wounds of this pandemic and draw us in new directions of happiness and refreshment to enable us all to come alive to all that is eternal within us.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on day 89 of our latest lock down. Every day and every hour all over all avenues of media we are being bombarded with news of Covid19, vaccines and how they are going to combat the virus and sure, they will have a huge part to play, but very few are referring to the fact that prayer will have a huge impact and more interestingly our own catholic church and hierarchy seem to be very quiet on this fact. For us as a family and practicing catholics what has been most disappointing for us is the lack of involvement, especially locally by the clergy. In my view they should be out there in the streets, on the roadways and rural areas, blessing, healing and supporting their parishioners, in a careful and socially distanced way of course. So having said all that, it is up to each and every one of us to be kind, gracious and helpful to each other, both in families and communities, and to reach out with loving and helpful hands to heal the wounds of this pandemic and draw us in new directions of happiness and refreshment to enable us all to come alive to all that is eternal within us. 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 379
Nowadays our lives are full of glitz and fast movement to nowhere. It sometimes feels like we are living in a parched desert with an abundance of water nearby only to find the tap to turn it on. Our present day culture is full of glass and pace on the outside whereas within we are often haunted and lost. We have fallen out of belonging.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on day 89 of our latest lock down. I was listening to the Brendan O'Connor radio show over the weekend and he was speaking with Dr. Mary Horgan re covid vaccinations and she made a very sound statement, in my book anyway, that we should all go back to living how we did in the 70's and 80's when we were grateful for everything we had and more at peace with ourselves as people than we are now. Nowadays our lives are full of glitz and fast movement to nowhere. It sometimes feels like we are living in a parched desert with an abundance of water nearby only to find the tap to turn it on. Our present day culture is full of glass and pace on the outside whereas within we are often haunted and lost. We have fallen out of belonging. We need to make a stand now before the crucial and critical thresholds in our lives to protect the lives of others. Continue to pray, bless and power healing to all who need it. Feel the peace of life and listen to the clock ticking in the background. Have a wonderful, mindful Monday. Be caring, be mindful and wear your smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 378
It is another Sunday and another opportunity for us all to be grateful for the gift of a new day, the choice to enjoy it and be grateful and give gratitude and praise. Gratitude is a powerful process for shifting your energy and bringing more of what you want into your life.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on day 88 of our latest lock down. It is another Sunday and another opportunity for us all to be grateful for the gift of a new day, the choice to enjoy it and be grateful and give gratitude and praise. Gratitude is a powerful process for shifting your energy and bringing more of what you want into your life. Be grateful for what you already have and you will attract more good things into your life so with these thoughts in your mind today have a lovely, relaxing, mindful and peaceful Sunday and wear your smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 377
This morning I am going to follow the advice of Dr. Edith Eger and I do something similar every morning. First thing I go to the mirror and look at myself with kind and loving eyes and say "I am mindful, I am powerful, I am kind, I am a person of strength" then kiss myself on the back of each hand.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on day 87 of our latest lock down. This morning I am going to follow the advice of Dr. Edith Eger and I do something similar every morning. First thing I go to the mirror and look at myself with kind and loving eyes and say "I am mindful, I am powerful, I am kind, I am a person of strength" then kiss myself on the back of each hand. I then smile into the mirror and say "I love you" and not in a vain way but in a real way. It will free you up from guilt, neglect, free you from yesterdays baggage and mistakes. When you pay loving attention to yourself and others you will grow stronger day by day. Continue to pray for your inner strength and power healing and blessings to all who need it and wear your smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 376
It is so wonderful at this time of year to be so close to nature. We have bright early mornings filled with bird song, we have the golden daffodils nodding their understanding heads and then we get to smell spring. From my early childhood days I could always smell spring and this time of year gives me a clearer understanding of the flock of colours that are bursting towards us and come to awaken in us a delight of sight.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on day 86 of our latest lock down. It is so wonderful at this time of year to be so close to nature. We have bright early mornings filled with bird song, we have the golden daffodils nodding their understanding heads and then we get to smell spring. From my early childhood days I could always smell spring and this time of year gives me a clearer understanding of the flock of colours that are bursting towards us and come to awaken in us a delight of sight. As I scan across the meadow grasses may this clarity of light be always in our vision and the nourishment of this beautiful and wonderful earth be present by our side to guide us safely home. Continue to pray, bless and power healing to all who need it and wear your Monday smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 375
Many of us are aware that the most damaging prison is in our mind but we must realise the key is in our pocket and the gift of our new day gives us the choice to be who we are really meant to be. Most of us know these facts and most of us just need a little encouragement to turn that key
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on day 85 of our latest lock down. When I awake every morning I give thanks for the gift of a new day and the freedom to choose what I want to do with the day. The very foundation of freedom is the power to choose. Freedom is a lifetime practice, a choice we get to make again and again each day. What is very important in all our lives is that we don't get to choose what happens to us in our lives but we do however get to choose how we respond to our experiences. Many of us are aware that the most damaging prison is in our mind but we must realise the key is in our pocket and the gift of our new day gives us the choice to be who we are really meant to be. Most of us know these facts and most of us just need a little encouragement to turn that key, and if you don't want to take the advice of The Mindful Farmer why not read Dr. Edith Eger's books The Gift and The Choice. It will have a profound influence on how you look at your daily life - "your daily gift". 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 374
Home is a place of shelter and love. It is like a nest where intimacy and belonging foster identity and individuality. It also houses the mind, body and spirit. If we are to be who we are meant to be we need to be home. When a place to belong is assured the adventure of growth can begin with great promise.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on day 84 of our latest lock down. This morning I am going to talk to you about the value of home and how every family should have a right to their home and for many reasons. Many of us have travelled and walked away from home in foreign lands and always long for home even when we are away from home for just a short spell. We always say on return "there is no place like home" and it is true. Home is a place of shelter and love. It is like a nest where intimacy and belonging foster identity and individuality. It also houses the mind, body and spirit. If we are to be who we are meant to be we need to be home. When a place to belong is assured the adventure of growth can begin with great promise. I will finish with one of the sweetest words in any language - "there is no place like home" we have heard it many times but do we really value it? 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 373
This whole area is marked by millions of years of wind and rain. When you are here you feel like you know the wind for millions of years even before a human face ever felt it. When I walk these lands I feel we are never as alone as it might seem. I feel an energy that promises initiative and creativity. As I walk here this morning I feel a warmth of place that wraps around me like a cloak to mind me for my life.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on day 83 of our latest lock down. This morning as I ambled my way through the fields at Ballinwillin House I faced towards the impressive block of mountains known at the Galtees. This morning they were wreathed in a blue tuscan light and with distance they seem like they are huge dark ships on a distant voyage. From time to time and as often as I can I love to walk up into these vast, cold structures that are cluttered with green pines that shelter wild birds and deer. This whole area is marked by millions of years of wind and rain. When you are here you feel like you know the wind for millions of years even before a human face ever felt it. When I walk these lands I feel we are never as alone as it might seem. I feel an energy that promises initiative and creativity. As I walk here this morning I feel a warmth of place that wraps around me like a cloak to mind me for my life. Continue to pray, bless and power healing and continue to wear your Tuesday smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 372
“Time to be alone” except you won’t be alone. Creation and nature will be with you also your spiritual ancestors and God will be at your side but that won’t intrude unless they are invited.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on day 82 of our latest lock down. Well it’s Monday morning and the beginning of another week. I could not help but notice this morning as I walked around the Bed and Breakfast yard how quiet and eerie it was. At Ballinwillin we always loved and enjoyed the company of our guests from all over the world and yet both guests and myself always found time to relax, wind down and even meditate in the gardens. “Time to be alone” except you won’t be alone. Creation and nature will be with you also your spiritual ancestors and God will be at your side but that won’t intrude unless they are invited. Continue to pray, bless and power healing to all who need it and wear your Monday smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 371
Spring, bright, sunny mornings bring us all hope and hope is daring and courageous and it always has the audacity to reach a hand into darkness and come out with a handful of light and isn’t that a lovely thought for us all on this beautiful Sunday and may we all feel the rush of spring light and growth spread slowly inside us and may we find the colour and stillness of Mother Earth.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on day 81 of our latest lock down. It is Sunday morning here again and a beautiful morning it is indeed and we will begin our tour of the gardens this morning – something we could not really do in the winter months but now that the garden is wakening up and some plants and flowers are beginning to express themselves we can. Also we will be visiting some animals on the farm. Spring, bright, sunny mornings bring us all hope and hope is daring and courageous and it always has the audacity to reach a hand into darkness and come out with a handful of light and isn’t that a lovely thought for us all on this beautiful Sunday and may we all feel the rush of spring light and growth spread slowly inside us and may we find the colour and stillness of Mother Earth. Continue to pray, bless and power healing to all who need it and wear your Sunday best smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 370
We all need to get out of our own way to see what is around us and to see into the hearts of others and we all know there is many ways of seeing things and my view is to see inside the whole of them and as our breath awakens to the light and colour of the artist and poet may the dawn anoint our eyes with the wisdom and wonder to inhale it all.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on day 80 of our latest lock down. Last evening a beautiful piece of art was shown to me and it was by a very dear friend of mine and it brought to my mind the beauty that was inside this person and indeed is inside all of us if we care to look for it. But it is not only artists and poets need to cultivate the ability we see. We all need to get out of our own way to see what is around us and to see into the hearts of others and we all know there is many ways of seeing things and my view is to see inside the whole of them and as our breath awakens to the light and colour of the artist and poet may the dawn anoint our eyes with the wisdom and wonder to inhale it all. 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 369
We must remember to listen. When a great moment knocks on the door of your life its sound is often no louder than the beating of your heart and it is very easy to miss it. In order to live a truly conscious life we need to constantly refine our listening.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on day 79 of our latest lock down. The Mindful Farmer is delighted to be at large again and looking at this beautiful spring morning with and through the eyes of a child. Spring sparks an openness to change in all of us. New life is happening everywhere as I have often said I can smell spring and then a new awakening stirs up in us, potential to change and potential to grow. Our horizons are broadened and we can believe in the future which in turn will bring all kinds of surprises as long as we leave the space for new things to emerge. We must remember to listen. When a great moment knocks on the door of your life its sound is often no louder than the beating of your heart and it is very easy to miss it. In order to live a truly conscious life we need to constantly refine our listening. We need to pray and send healing and blessings to all who need it and don’t forget to wear your listening smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 368
We are distracted from being who we are really meant to be. We need to go to a space of natural awareness. This is a sacred space where we can learn to rest in freedom and when we access natural awareness we feel a beautiful sense of compassion, kindness, interconnection, joy and radiance and just think how these qualities will impact all whom you meet.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to my daily blog again from my window of wonder at the Galway clinic. When you are shut away like I have been for the last 96 hours, even among all the procedures in hospital, you have plenty of time to think and even relax in pain, if you can understand me. This type of relaxation brings about a natural awareness which can be the opposite to the busy past life that I have lived even though I would spend at least 90 minutes meditating and praying daily. In our so called modern world most of us are lost in our ordinary minds. We are all caught up in the drama, we are lost in habitual reactivity, anxiety, irritation or sadness. We work in auto pilot and just go through the motions of life and missing out on much of our lives and that of our family and friends. We are distracted from being who we are really meant to be. We need to go to a space of natural awareness. This is a sacred space where we can learn to rest in freedom and when we access natural awareness we feel a beautiful sense of compassion, kindness, interconnection, joy and radiance and just think how these qualities will impact all whom you meet. 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 367
Waiting quietly allows me to listen to my own strengths and depths and enables me to hear Gods spirit within me and leading me to discover more about discovering my inner self and the important aspects of life. This waiting and this time can be tough, even heartbreaking for me and my family but out of all this darkness, slowly but surely comes the light, a bright red Connemara sunset light.
Good morning everyone and welcome to my room in The Galway clinic, not the ideal St. Patricks Day venue but I am going to make the best of it while I wait patiently between procedures. I must be still. I must be quiet and face what is in front of me and what is inside me. Waiting quietly allows me to listen to my own strengths and depths and enables me to hear Gods spirit within me and leading me to discover more about discovering my inner self and the important aspects of life. This waiting and this time can be tough, even heartbreaking for me and my family but out of all this darkness, slowly but surely comes the light, a bright red Connemara sunset light. I can wait quietly until the sea calms and may the wild flowers that I see from my hospital window whisper their wishes into the beautiful and inspiring light. Continue to pray, bless and power healing to all who need it and wear your St. Patricks Day smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 366
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to The Mindful Farmers daily blog, today not coming from Ballinwillin House Farm but from St. Johns Ward in The Galway Clinic Hospital. The Mindful Farmer is not his usual powerful self and not feeling great but my medical advisors and great friends are determined to get to grips with my situation and power healing my way and through this journey may I be granted the wisdom to avoid false resistance as suffering knocks on my door and may I have enough wisdom and strength to glimpse its eventual gifts.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to The Mindful Farmers daily blog, today not coming from Ballinwillin House Farm but from St. Johns Ward in The Galway Clinic Hospital. The Mindful Farmer is not his usual powerful self and not feeling great but my medical advisors and great friends are determined to get to grips with my situation and power healing my way and through this journey may I be granted the wisdom to avoid false resistance as suffering knocks on my door and may I have enough wisdom and strength to glimpse its eventual gifts. Time gathers its moments secretly and after we only know when it is time to change when a force gathers inside the heart and leaves us uneasy as we are and maybe the work we do has lost its soul. One thing is for certain - the mind of time is hard to read. Did it keep me confined in a pale frame? Did I reside in vacant endurance? Did it scorch my souls desire? These are the questions I ask myself now in the solitude of a hospital room and here this March night, this wound will gradually dawn towards healing and freedom. Continue to pray, bless and power healing to all who need it and wear your smile. From a mindful, poetic and relaxed farmer. God bless you all.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 365
Well, well, a full year of daily blogs. Who would have thought our world would bring us in this direction and keep us here. What a year it has been for families, businesses and life in general. Homes and businesses have been destroyed, families have lost some of their nearest and dearest without even being able to say goodbye in our traditional sense
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on day 75 of our latest lock down. Well, well, a full year of daily blogs. Who would have thought our world would bring us in this direction and keep us here. What a year it has been for families, businesses and life in general. Homes and businesses have been destroyed, families have lost some of their nearest and dearest without even being able to say goodbye in our traditional sense and even The Mindful Farmer had a close encounter with the next world. Ironically on the 365th day of my daily blogs I am going back into hospital again but I will keep in touch while I am alive. Yes, what a year it has been for me, my family and our businesses all closed due to Covid19 but while there is life there is hope and I am blessed with a great family and friends. There is no denying that this has been the toughest and longest year I have ever experienced but onwards and upwards now for us all. Whatever we can do or dream lets begin it now. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it so begin it now and remember those ten little words "if it is to be it is up to me" Continue to pray, bless and power healing to all who need it and wear your Monday smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 364
Another Sunday but not an ordinary one - it is Mothers Day and a tribute to the great women throughout the world. Maybe I am biased here but I firmly believe that Irish mothers are the best in the world based on my experience with my own Mum.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on day 74 of our latest lock down. Another Sunday but not an ordinary one - it is Mothers Day and a tribute to the great women throughout the world. Maybe I am biased here but I firmly believe that Irish mothers are the best in the world based on my experience with my own Mum. She was always in charge both inside the house and on the farm. There was always a fresh smell of homemade bread, scones and tarts. Always a welcome for everyone. Her soothing voice always to the fore and there was always a consistency to her gentleness and the home was always filled with a climate of kindness where every mind felt free to express themselves in seeking their own direction. We can all say that there were many things we could and should have said but under her compassionate heart words were never wanted. We can all go on and on about our wonderful mothers. I think they will be happy enough today if we silently hold their hearts in our prayers and wish all mothers a happy mothers day. Continue to pray, bless and power healing to all people especially the mothers and wear a smile for them.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 363
We all meet some wonderful and amazing people in our lives, people who really care about our well being. One aspect of life that really inspires me is that through others we learn a lot about ourselves and what we can achieve through self knowledge.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on day 73 of our latest lock down. We all meet some wonderful and amazing people in our lives, people who really care about our well being. One aspect of life that really inspires me is that through others we learn a lot about ourselves and what we can achieve through self knowledge. True self knowledge can only be found in the reflected appraisal of those whom we have loved and those who care about us and love us. When people are grateful and praise me I promise and remind myself to return to the farm or gardens and give praise and credit where it is really due, to Mother Nature, my spiritual ancestors, my family and great friends and great people around us. May we all learn to be great friends journeying in life to a place in our soul where there is joy, love, warmth and feeling. 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 362
Today and every day look for the beauty of nature all around you and return it to the world around you in a smile, a loving word or a kind thought or a prayer and power healing to all who need it. Love more, laugh more and wear your smile - it mirrors your soul.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on day 72 of our latest lock down. I am looking forward to a time where I can do my live broadcasts and videos from the gardens and farm but the weather is too inclement at the moment but when the opportunity presents we will go outside again and draw beauty from every flower and joy from the beautiful bird song and we can draw beauty from the fresh air. We must absorb the beauty of nature and when the beauty of a flower or a tree is impressed upon us it leaves an imprint and image in our soul and this is reflected in our mind and our actions. Today and every day look for the beauty of nature all around you and return it to the world around you in a smile, a loving word or a kind thought or a prayer and power healing to all who need it. Love more, laugh more and wear your smile - it mirrors your soul.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 361
Each and every one of us has a unique role in this life and no one else can fill this role. We are all precious in Gods eyes and the message I will leave you with this morning is "the point in life is not to succeed, the point in my entire life is to die trying and to never, ever give up"
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on day 71 of our latest lock down. When you get to a mature stage in life I believe and feel the ease of the years and as I said to a beautiful lady friend this evening "no matter what happens me I have had a good run at life and a most enjoyable one" There is no higher destiny than to live your own life, to be in our time and take up our very own place. Each and every one of us has a unique role in this life and no one else can fill this role. We are all precious in Gods eyes and the message I will leave you with this morning is "the point in life is not to succeed, the point in my entire life is to die trying and to never, ever give up" Continue to pray, bless and power healing to all who need it and wear your smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick