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 784
When you pray for it you will receive it in abundance and as I look out my window of wonder today it is there immediately in the form of my beautiful rhododendron which is blossoming for the second time this year
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre. Yesterday I experienced great joy in meeting up with an old friend and very soon it became apparent that even though we have not met for years the joy of the kindred friendship was most warming. You can never expect joy to be the result of hard work alone but there is much we can expect to benefit from our own efforts in many aspects of life. Joy is a very special gift. When you search for it, searching is not the spontaneous way. When you pray for it you will receive it in abundance and as I look out my window of wonder today it is there immediately in the form of my beautiful rhododendron which is blossoming for the second time this year as its name tells us but something strange is also happening in our climate. But it is beautiful and joyous to experience its beauty, fragrance and double celebration and a time where I can free my heart and let all intentions and worries stop and to free the joy inside myself. Continue to pray, bless, power healing, peace and hope to all who need it and wear your Monday smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 783
It is a beautiful day out there so go outside and soak up that beautiful, fresh and vibrant air into your lungs. It is the best medicine. Have a beautiful, mindful and peaceful day.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre. I often refer to Sundays as important days of rest and prayer. There are six other days for us to busy ourselves with each week. When we rest and take things easy and slow we will find peace and joy, two amazing gifts to our life and may indeed be miracle words. We need to claim this power every day of our lives. When we do so we can kiss these gifts as they fly by into eternity's sunrise and then embrace them. Continue to pray, bless, power healing, peace and hope to all who need them and wear your Sunday best smile. It is a beautiful day out there so go outside and soak up that beautiful, fresh and vibrant air into your lungs. It is the best medicine. Have a beautiful, mindful and peaceful day.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 782
We should never pass up an opportunity to admire beauty for beauty in nature is God's handwriting. The beauty in nature can calm us when we trust ourselves into the calmness and stillness of her embrace.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre. Earlier this morning after feeding the animals and admiring all of them and their own individual ways and mannerisms I took to gardening, cutting grass, spraying roses and planting some summer budding plants. I then went to admire the wildflower selection I planted last year to enhance insect and bird life. When I looked closely at some of the flowers, in other years I would have classified them as weeds and use the garden hoe on them but not anymore, there is individual beauty in those weeds if we look closely at them. We need to take time to admire them and all the insects and bees that hover around them. We should never pass up an opportunity to admire beauty for beauty in nature is God's handwriting. The beauty in nature can calm us when we trust ourselves into the calmness and stillness of her embrace. Have a beautiful, mindful and peaceful Saturday and continue to pray, bless, power healing, peace and hope to all who need it and wear your Saturday smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 781
Nature really is the great artist of longing and everything that we see and enjoy in this world comes from her mind and imagination and here we are all children of her, earth's dreaming all we need do is to go outside and inhale her goodness.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre. It is a very busy time on the farm getting the paddocks ready to receive all the animals of which we have five varieties in total. All must be planned, checked for fencing, water etc and then the next movement in approx two weeks as we move all stock into new and fresh pasture. It is a lovely time of year and May is usually very good weather wise. It is wonderful to see the animals bounding around with happiness and glee in their natural surroundings. Then we have all types of birds singing in an almost deafening chorus, the leaves bursting forth in the trees and in the garden, the camellias, rhododendrons and magnolias are dreaming of colour. In nature the farmer and the farmer always plan for generations to come. Nature really is the great artist of longing and everything that we see and enjoy in this world comes from her mind and imagination and here we are all children of her, earth's dreaming all we need do is to go outside and inhale her goodness. Continue to pray, bless, power healing, peace and hope to all who need it and wear your Friday smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 780
A single beat from the heart of a loved one is capable of driving out a hundred sorrows.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre. Mornings can be very early at Ballinwillin House. Normally The Mindful Farmer is an early riser in the morning but since the arrival of Ada and JJ our grandchildren, the clock has no meaning. From 4am you can hear the door handle gently turning and then like a hurricane they are in the bed and just want to have fun. Then the requests for breakfast ,"I am hungry Grand Pat". There is no way out of this situation, only to head for the kitchen, put on the sausages or sausies as they call them. Get the cereals, honey and fruit in their bowls and often the menu has to be repeated but no matter how tired one is there is no defence when love walks into a room. A single beat from the heart of a loved one is capable of driving out a hundred sorrows. Continue to pray, bless, power healing, peace and hope to all who need it and wear your smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 779
May the angel of compassion open her eyes to the beauty and love in her life so that all that is pure in your heart can come alive to all that is eternal in you and we will all surround you with streams of blessings so your new life can fall into the rhythm of your full and pure heart.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, Gardens and RetrEat centre. It is a morning, a day when The Mindful Farmer and his family require the power of all your prayers and implore the angel of healing to turn our daughter Sheena's wounds into sources of healing and refreshment. May the angel of compassion open her eyes to the beauty and love in her life so that all that is pure in your heart can come alive to all that is eternal in you and we will all surround you with streams of blessings so your new life can fall into the rhythm of your full and pure heart. Continue with the prayers, continue to send blessing and healing to all who need them and wear your Wednesday smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 778
The beauty we see and witness in our world is our witness to its blessing to us. A home, a people, a land without blessing are places where no beauty can dwell either in our hearts or our soul.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, Gardens and RetrEat centre. As I gaze out my window of wonder this morning it is obvious that spring has given way to the early beauty of summer. Flowers are beginning to open, leaves unfurling and the tall elegant trees are busy putting on their summer foliage. Each day brings something new and exciting. It is also a very busy time for the farmer and the gardener. We must all take care and time to tune in to our own well being, to the beauty and happiness in our lives and to discover the joy that there is in loving and grateful hearts. The beauty we see and witness in our world is our witness to its blessing to us. A home, a people, a land without blessing are places where no beauty can dwell either in our hearts or our soul. Continue to pray, bless, power healing, peace and hope to all who need it and wear your Tuesday smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 776
May day has a deep meaning for farmers. Cattle are blessed and sent to new pastures. Today also I will light a fire, sit around it, pray and meditate and if anyone wants to join me in a song, they are welcome to do so.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, Gardens and RetrEat centre. It is a lovely soft morning here at Ballinwillin House. A light mist is drizzling the plants and grass and it leaves one feeling that we are being led softly towards summer. Last evening I performed my usual May eve duty by sprinkling Holy water around the home, the farm, the gardens, the animals, the cars, vehicles and lastly any person I met. This is what I saw my parents and grandparents doing on this date and I will continue to do so as long as I am alive. and I will pass this tradition on to the next generation also. It is also marked as the halfway point between spring equinox and summer solstice. May day has a deep meaning for farmers. Cattle are blessed and sent to new pastures. Today also I will light a fire, sit around it, pray and meditate and if anyone wants to join me in a song, they are welcome to do so. I am just carrying on what my great ancestors did before me and they know a thing or two about life and how to live it and most importantly to live it in the now and be the people they were meant to be. Today, on this beautiful Sunday, let us all breathe love into our lives and those dear to us. Continue to pray, bless, power healing, peace and hope to all who need it and wear your Sunday best smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 775
These promises and blessings are there for us all just to manifest them. All is well with nature so too shall it be with us, just embrace it. Blessed be the imagination of our earth and today let us thank Mother Earth for all her inspiration.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, Gardens and RetrEat centre. This morning while meditating in the garden and checking on the animals in the fields, my heart is rejoicing as springtime is bursting forth everywhere and in everything. The animals are prancing around feeling the spring burst and trees and plants likewise. There is joy in their hearts also. The blossoms are already promising fruit and it is a clear signal to me that our lives are full of glad and wonderful promise. These promises and blessings are there for us all just to manifest them. All is well with nature so too shall it be with us, just embrace it. Blessed be the imagination of our earth and today let us thank Mother Earth for all her inspiration. Continue to pray, bless, power healing, peace and hope to all who need it and wear your Saturday smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 774
"one is nearer to God's heart when in the garden than anywhere else on earth" and that is certainly true this morning at Ballinwillin House and Gardens.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, Gardens and RetrEat centre. This morning as I gaze out my window of wonder my eyes are dazzled by the purple splendour of the wonderful, sunny, bright, April Friday morning. The beauty in this world never fails me and never ceases to amaze and fill me with joy. My Mam always said when we worked in the garden together that "one is nearer to God's heart when in the garden than anywhere else on earth" and that is certainly true this morning at Ballinwillin House and Gardens. The purple splendour I refer to this morning is this beautiful Azalia blue tit accompanied by the magnolia. Mother Earth and these gardens are vibrantly alive with God's blessings. Continue to pray, bless and power healing to all who need it and wear your Friday smile. Have a wonderful, peaceful and relaxing Friday.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 773
The real meaning of courage is to be willing to open and feel ones heart, to be present in the now and to be open to all situations even when things are difficult or painful.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, Gardens and RetrEat centre. Recently I had been doing some cleaning in the fields, cutting back hedges to encourage new and young growth and what strikes me is the courage that plants have to burst forth with renewed vigor even when pruned back hard. Courage is a very important word and trait and the word comes from coeur, the french word for heart. The real meaning of courage is to be willing to open and feel ones heart, to be present in the now and to be open to all situations even when things are difficult or painful. We must also be willing to extend ourselves to help others and wake up and confront what is actually happening and not to be afraid to speak the truth in all situations rather than nodding with the crowd. In my book that is courage. For some of us, waking up may take a long time, maybe a lifetime. For others, seeing happens in a spectacular flash of light. Be awake, be vigilant. It can be no louder than a heartbeat and only the heart knows how to find what is precious. Continue to pray, bless, power healing, peace and hope to all who need it and wear your Thursday smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 772
When we live by faith and not by sight we believe what reason does not believe. It is not enough that a thing may be possible for it to be believed.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, Gardens and RetrEat centre. This morning I had a heartwarming chat with my four year old granddaughter Ada and she was all excited about her dreams during the night. Now, she is a budding actress but it made me think that if we cease to believe in our dreams we lose contact with the revitalising energy of our spirit and life force which is love. When we live by faith and not by sight we believe what reason does not believe. It is not enough that a thing may be possible for it to be believed. Continue to pray, bless, power healing, peace and hope to all who need it and wear your Wednesday smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 771
I find it brings me happiness when my mind wanders down pleasant avenues and then I bring it back slowly and deeply focusing on the breathing. During these sessions we have the opportunity to practice letting go and coming back again and again. It is like working out in the gym but instead we are exercising our muscles of awareness.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, Gardens and RetrEat centre. This morning while I was quietly meditating my mind wandered a little and into my thoughts came my Granduncle Jack again and a story he told me on a beautiful summer's day. It was about a neighbour who was working on the farm nearby and he said "do you see that man? He is a genius with his hands. Everything he turns his hands to turns out amazingly." Jack then turned to me and said "we all have a genius for something or other. You, Patrick, will find yours in due time." That little message has remained with me all my life and I hope my genius is for peace and happiness and it is spread to all around me. Now, back to meditation and mindfulness and allowing the mind to wander. I find it brings me happiness when my mind wanders down pleasant avenues and then I bring it back slowly and deeply focusing on the breathing. During these sessions we have the opportunity to practice letting go and coming back again and again. It is like working out in the gym but instead we are exercising our muscles of awareness. Continue to pray, bless, power healing, peace and hope to all who need it and wear your Tuesday smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 769
It is the time to touch and feel their peace and presence that they offer up to us. It is a time, a day to be in love with nature and not be asleep. There will be time enough for sleeping.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, Gardens and RetrEat centre. When I look around the garden this morning what do I see? Well, to really see something we must look at it carefully and for a long time. To say I have seen a beautiful plant or forest is not enough. We must be the thing that we see. Get really close to the tree, the beautiful rhododendron Elizabeth, the azalea blue tit. We must look at its deep and beautiful leaves, its colourful, scented petals. Inhale its fragrance and feel its goodness right into your body. This now is a special moment. I am at one with this plant now and in the now. It is like giving someone your full attention. It is the time to enter the small silences between the leaves, the buds, blossoms and flowers. It is the time to touch and feel their peace and presence that they offer up to us. It is a time, a day to be in love with nature and not be asleep. There will be time enough for sleeping. Continue to pray, bless, power healing, peace and hope to all who need it and wear your Sunday best smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 768
The blessing he will receive today will guide and protect him and awaken his spirit of adventure where he need hold nothing back and find life an easy and holy passage. He is now in a new home where his blessed little soul can embrace the world that awaits him.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, Gardens and RetrEat centre. Today, April 23rd, is another very special day here at Ballinwillin House Farm. Our grandson, JJ, is being christened. Long overdue due to Covid restrictions and other issues but today is the day. A new beginning for this beautiful little man.The sun is beaming down on us and it is going to be a great celebration. It is very important for us to celebrate important occasions like this in full Celtic manner with full spirit and heart. This day has been quietly forming and is ready to emerge. The blessing he will receive today will guide and protect him and awaken his spirit of adventure where he need hold nothing back and find life an easy and holy passage. He is now in a new home where his blessed little soul can embrace the world that awaits him. It is our mission to pray, at least daily, for the angels in heaven to be at his side to protect him into the future. God bless and protect my great little man, my beautiful grandson and godchild. Continue to pray, bless, power healing, peace and hope to all who need it and wear your smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 767
As we traverse through life we experience love, truth, sadness, suffering and even death. These experiences develop us as we march on through our lives. Great experiences come through and from a great and full heart.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, Gardens and RetrEat centre. The sun is up early this morning and as I look through my window of wonder my first welcome was the magnolia radiating boldly to welcome me to this day. This particular plant I pruned back about two years ago and now it is saying thank you for this new vigor, this new beauty. We also need pruning in our lives to make way for new spiritual growth. This growth will make us stronger to face the problems of life. As we traverse through life we experience love, truth, sadness, suffering and even death. These experiences develop us as we march on through our lives. Great experiences come through and from a great and full heart. All this happens in our lives so that we can awaken to the ultimate call of freedom and give way to a deeper generosity. Continue to pray, bless, power healing, peace and hope to all who need it and wear your Friday smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 766
Normally I am pretty good at taking things in my stride but at the moment little moves become laboursome. It is an empty time that I must turn to good use. I must rest, pray and patiently learn to receive self, a self that is often forsaken during the hustle and bustle of life, a life that too often we travel over too fast
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, Gardens and RetrEat centre. The Mindful Farmer is in a lot of pain today and is barely able to move but the crutches help. This time will pass. Normally I am pretty good at taking things in my stride but at the moment little moves become laboursome. It is an empty time that I must turn to good use. I must rest, pray and patiently learn to receive self, a self that is often forsaken during the hustle and bustle of life, a life that too often we travel over too fast and then I think to myself "relax, the time has come for my soul to take me back home." I will take refuge in this peace and reflect and give thanks for all the beauty, happiness and miracles in my life. This morning, as I watch through my window of wonder, the rain falling slowly and free, I wait in peace for its calmness to claim me. Continue to pray, bless, power healing, peace and hope to all who need it and wear your Thursday smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 765
Suffering knocks on all our doors from time to time. It is up to us to welcome its eventual gift, the fruits of suffering. May the grace of time heal all our wounds and gradually we will all return to ourselves.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, Gardens and RetrEat centre. The Mindful Farmer is suffering this morning. Yesterday I began a procedure for my two knees, stem cell treatment. The first session was yesterday and yes, it is extremely painful with two more sessions over the next four weeks. Hopefully in the future I will be able to walk a distance more than the one hundred yards at present. The wear and tear of hard work over the years has caught up with me but onwards and upwards. I plan to carry the pain lightly. Suffering knocks on all our doors from time to time. It is up to us to welcome its eventual gift, the fruits of suffering. May the grace of time heal all our wounds and gradually we will all return to ourselves. Now is the time to be excessively gentle with myself, my time to pray and heal. Continue to pray with me, send blessings, peace, hope and happiness to all who need it and wear your Wednesday smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 764
When Easter is over, life on the farm begins a new phase. A phase of growth, progress, animals going into new paddocks. Lots of work but as many would say "isn't it great to be able!" When Mother Earth is ready at this time of year, everything flourishes.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, Gardens and RetrEat centre. It is a lovely morning here this morning and a happy Easter was had by all here, thankfully. Quiet and peaceful. When Easter is over, life on the farm begins a new phase. A phase of growth, progress, animals going into new paddocks. Lots of work but as many would say "isn't it great to be able!" When Mother Earth is ready at this time of year, everything flourishes. All our hearts are ready for a new beginning, unforeseen and wonderful things can emerge. I believe that time has its own psychic seasons. In everything, there is a time, a season and a time for every purpose in our spiritual life. It can be our time to respond and live our life to the fullest flowing with the growth of the month of April, May and June, a time when natures sap and spirit is in full flow. It is your time to live by faith and not by sight. Smell nature. Continue to pray, bless, power healing, peace and hope to all who need it and wear your Tuesday smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 763
May your dreams gradually reveal the destination of your dreams.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, Gardens and RetrEat centre on this Easter Monday. Yesterday was a peaceful and relaxing day inside and outside. The torrents of rain fell all day and it was lovely and peaceful and mindful to hear the rain noisily dropping on the roof of the house. Peace was flourishing, everyone was happy and I thought thankfully to myself "isn't it wonderful to be happy with what you have and rejoice in the way things are when we realise that there is very little lacking in our lives. Then the whole world opens up for you and can belong to you." May your dreams gradually reveal the destination of your dreams. Continue to pray, bless, power healing, peace and hope to all who need it and wear your Monday smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick