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 1126
"To appreciate and fully understand the true value of a tree might just take longer than most of us have to spare."
Good morning everyone and welcome. The weather is beginning to pick up a little here on the farm and in the gardens and this morning as I say by a very old Cyprus Louisiana tree, probably planted in the mid 1700's a saying from my Grand Uncle Jack came to my mind. "To appreciate and fully understand the true value of a tree might just take longer than most of us have to spare." A very profound statement but worth thinking about as we sit under one and pray on this special Sunday. Continue to pray, bless, power healing, peace, hope and love to all and wear your Sunday best smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 1125
The azaleas, rhododendrons, camellias and magnolias are flowering in their splendour. My heart is full of joy and I say to myself "such beauty, such fragrance, Mother Nature is praying with me this morning" and I say to myself "surely God is here, surely God is holding my hand today."
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, Gardens and RetrEat centre. This morning as I visit the gardens the birds are in full song. The azaleas, rhododendrons, camellias and magnolias are flowering in their splendour. My heart is full of joy and I say to myself "such beauty, such fragrance Mother Nature is praying with me this morning" and I say to myself "surely God is here, surely God is holding my hand today." Continue to pray, bless, power healing, peace, hope and love to all and wear your Saturday smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 1124
Many people would say dignity and respect are of the same meaning. My opinion is that respect acknowledges behaviour while dignity acknowledges and teaches the importance of civility and humanity.
Good morning everyone and welcome to the thoughts of The Mindful Farmer on this Friday morning. I feel compelled to refer to President Biden again this morning after his meaningful address to the Senate in the Dail last evening. He clearly feels and breathes his Irish blood and soul and his continued reference to faith, hope and dignity really impresses. These are three huge traits in our Irish makeup and should be held high by every Irish citizen. Many people would say dignity and respect are of the same meaning. My opinion is that respect acknowledges behaviour while dignity acknowledges and teaches the importance of civility and humanity. President Biden has learned the wisdom of deep listening. He has understood the healing of wholesome words. He understands the decorum of high held dignity and his fertile mind certainly loves new frontiers and his leadership has always been a true adventure of growth even from a young age. My wish for him from today and onwards is that the protection of his and all our ancestors be with him and his family. Continue to pray, for peace, power healing, hope and love to all and wear your Friday smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 1123
“Faith is too precious a possession to be sacrificed in order to purchase knowledge”
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, Gardens and RetrEat centre. Last evening I was watching some of the news from Joe Biden's trip to Ireland, the one in Dundalk I am referring to. In his speech he made some very profound statements. One that I picked up on was that "hope builds nations". I felt very proud as my recent book was based on hope and hope in a time of crisis and we survived but not without much pain and sacrifice. His next remark was what he said about his dad, that every time when he was leaving his home his dad would say "keep the faith Joey" and his mam would shout out "no Joey, spread it!" Some wonderful bits from his speech. I refer to hope and faith a lot in my everyday life and in my RetrEats and one of my favourite quotes is "faith is too precious a possession of a gift to be sacrificed in order to purchase knowledge." God bless America and its president for sparking some very special memories for me. So, keep the faith and spread the faith. It's not just me saying it - I'm quoting the president of America. God bless all and wear your Thursday smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 1122
People who we meet that have an encouraging, philosophical, practical and friendly attitude can brighten up our day immediately and can do so with a few short words.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, Gardens and RetrEat centre. Some people we meet on a daily basis can differ so much in their attitude. Some seem to have a complaining, "everything is wrong" attitude but people who we meet that have an encouraging, philosophical, practical and friendly attitude can brighten up our day immediately and can do so with a few short words. That is the type of person I want to be every day. How about you? Wear that smile, it will help everyone and continue to pray, bless, power healing, peace, hope and love to all and wear your Wednesday smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 1121
A space between all of us, a space where we all touch, meet and greet. Words help, a simple word has the infinite potential to unleash power for life to renew itself.
Good morning everyone and welcome. The Mindful Farmer is in a new state of mourning for his Connemara Dad now and this morning all I can think of is the space and vacuum that Mick's passing has left. A space between all of us, a space where we all touch, meet and greet. Words help, a simple word has the infinite potential to unleash power for life to renew itself. God's gifts will always put man's best dreams to shame. Continue to pray for your passed loved ones and ancestors and send blessings and healings, love and peace to all who mourn.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 1120
"Faith is too priceless a possession and gift to be sacrificed in order to purchase knowledge."
Good morning everyone and welcome to the thoughts of The Mindful Farmer on what I call Easter Monday, Mick's funeral day. A lovely ceremony, a sad parting and then as only in Connemara, a very thoughtful and uplifting evening of discussion and stories about the after life and then I sprung my statement to the audience. "Faith is too priceless a possession and gift to be sacrificed in order to purchase knowledge." There were a lot of questions all afternoon about my views on the subject of faith but my question to the group and now to you, "What is your view?" Continue to pray, bless, power healing, peace, hope and love to all and wear your Easter Monday smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 1119
When I think back over all the years from childhood to now Easter time was always held in a special place in our homes and in our hearts and it was always a time of happiness and plenty and that is the same beautiful feeling that I have today on this Easter Sunday, April 9th 2023.
Today is Easter Sunday and always a special day in our lives. It is a day I like to meditate and rest a lot, a day I feel comfortable in prayer, a day I feel very close to God and all my spiritual ancestors. When I look today at the imagery of Christs body nailed to the cross and the white linen from his body flowing freely and then I think to myself that the cross symbolises the harshness and cruelty of life but then the white linen garments flowing freely in the breeze is like His grace, light to bare and flowing freely, softening everything and flowing everywhere. When I think back over all the years from childhood to now Easter time was always held in a special place in our homes and in our hearts and it was always a time of happiness and plenty and that is the same beautiful feeling that I have today on this Easter Sunday, April 9th 2023. Say a little prayer or two today and continue to bless, power healing, peace, hope and love to all and wear your Easter smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 1118
The earth rolls and every glory will have its moments and so too shall we but we must pray for peace, health and happiness while we roll with Mother Earth and in harmony with nature.
Good morning everyone and welcome as I sit here and think about the last few weeks and all the wonderful friends and close relatives that have passed on from this life to their eternal place of peace and rest in heaven. Life and nature teaches us nothing lasts forever and nothing ever continues as it begins. We must always find the courage to overcome these losses and to bear in mind that the grand show is eternal. There is always sunrise somewhere. The dew is never all dried up at once, there is always a shower falling somewhere and vapour is ever rising. The earth rolls and every glory will have its moments and so too shall we but we must pray for peace, health and happiness while we roll with Mother Earth and in harmony with nature. Send blessings to all who need it today and wear your Saturday smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 1117
Mick was an extraordinary man of his time and even before and beyond his time with his fertile and imaginative mind. Mick will always dwell in a warm place in our hearts. Your wonderful, youthful spirit will always be alive, awake and smiling.
“Tribute to Mick O’Neill, our Connemara Dad"
I first met with Mick when I was just 21 years old and he welcomed Miriam and I into his and Mary Anne's home in Cuilleain. I often reminisce on that day and the welcome extended to me and us as a family over the 46 years that followed. It was special and so special that we always referred to Mick and Mary Anne as our Connemara parents. When a great friend passes the memories come flooding inwards. I think back when Mick and the family would take us for a drive around his favourite places in the area. We would all flock into his red delivery van, each one of us in special seats he had made and fitted for a Sunday drive but then Mick was a master craftsman. He could turn wood as Shakespeare would turn words. I think also of the great work he has done for us both in Cuilleain and in Ballinwillin and the chats by the fireside at night when we might share a rum and black or two. Mick was an extraordinary man of his time and even before and beyond his time with his fertile and imaginative mind. Mick will always dwell in a warm place in our hearts. Your wonderful, youthful spirit will always be alive, awake and smiling. There will no longer be distance now between you, Mary Anne and your loving ancestors. We cannot see you anymore with our outward eyes yet we know for sure your gaze will always be focused on those you loved and honoured so deeply here on earth. Smile down on us Mick with your kind glow. You will always inspire us and may these moments of grief burst with flowers of spring hope in every heart that loves you and that you so dearly loved. You are now in the garden where there is no separation. Rest deeply and peacefully my great, great friend and caress all our hearts with your wonderful, loving and creative hands. This is just and earthly parting, we will continue to chat in prayer at least daily and give all our love to Mary Anne.
Warmest, warmest love,
Patrick Mulcahy
The Mindful Farmer and Peace Coach
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 1116
When I witness such a beautiful and soft morning like this morning I am so thankful and grateful to God and to Mother Nature for this place and I say to myself "surely the Lord is here. Surely the Lord is in this place."
Good morning everyone and welcome to Ballinwillin House Farm, Gardens and RetrEat centre. When I witness such a beautiful and soft morning like this morning I am so thankful and grateful to God and to Mother Nature for this place and I say to myself "surely the Lord is here. Surely the Lord is in this place." On the other hand it is us who are changing everything. It is us who have the ability to damage and destroy nature and if we do so she will in turn destroy us. Until we protect her every little thing on earth, nature cannot protect us. We must teach our children what our parents taught us, "the earth is our mother."
Continue to pray, bless, power healing, peace, hope and love to all and wear your Thursday smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 1115
Beauty surrounds me everywhere and I am hidden from every human eye. No outside noise disturbs my world and it is here I come when fuss and fret tends to overwhelm and it is where my heart is restored within my garden realm. Give yourself this gift today either in your own garden or visit a garden and when you sit there say a prayer and send peace, hope, love and blessings to all
Good morning everyone and welcome. This morning I am basking in my garden glory. Within my garden there is everything I need. It is where I sit, dream and pray in peace and silence. It is here I have time to spare as I breathe in all the fragrance and scents of nature that surrounds me and now in April all things are growing again. This morning what stood out was the black bird totally dominating the morning chorus. Beauty surrounds me everywhere and I am hidden from every human eye. No outside noise disturbs my world and it is here I come when fuss and fret tends to overwhelm and it is where my heart is restored within my garden realm. Give yourself this gift today either in your own garden or visit a garden and when you sit there say a prayer and send peace, hope, love and blessings to all and wear your Wednesday smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 1114
On this Tuesday morning I salute the breaking of the morning darkness, the breaking of silence, this sublime orchestra of birdsong that filled my heart and will fill all hearts who care to listen.
"Why do birds sing?"
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, Gardens and RetrEat centre. Earlier this morning just before daybreak I was listening attentively to the dawn chorus and all the very different tunes of the various birds in full symphony. It was very beautiful and moving and I asked myself why do birds sing? There are various answers to this question - 1) to dominate their territory 2) to attract a partner 3) is my favourite - for the pleasure of nature and all who listen. On this Tuesday morning I salute the breaking of the morning darkness, the breaking of silence, this sublime orchestra of birdsong that filled my heart and will fill all hearts who care to listen. Bono and his U2 band could only play the support act here. Continue to listen to the bird song, continue to pray, bless, power healing, peace, hope and love to all and wear your Tuesday smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 1113
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.
Good morning everyone and welcome. 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 three 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 smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 1112
The very best time to make a difference and a fresh start is always NOW. On this peaceful and restful Sunday let nature refresh your soul. It will make a difference.
Good morning everyone and welcome on this beautiful Sunday morning. As many of you are well aware at this stage of The Mindful Farmers line of thinking about life and nature and making a difference I often say to people why wait until tomorrow to make that difference? The very best time to make a difference and a fresh start is always NOW. On this peaceful and restful Sunday let nature refresh your soul. It will make a difference. Continue to pray, bless, power healing, peace, hope and love to all and wear your Sunday best smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 1111
As I sit here to enjoy it I think that the needs of our hearts should never be drowned by the preoccupation of our busy minds and outside noise. Take a little time today to enjoy the beauty that the beginning of spring brings to our hearts. Go somewhere quiet to sit in silence and prayer.
Welcome once again to Ballinwillin House Farm, Gardens and RetrEat centre. Today in the fields and in the garden spring is a little more evident. Even though the birds seem totally overjoyed and ecstatic since early morning and it is beautiful to hear, it is the painting of the beautiful magnolias in the garden that really paints peace and joy in my heart this morning. As I sit here to enjoy it I think that the needs of our hearts should never be drowned by the preoccupation of our busy minds and outside noise. Take a little time today to enjoy the beauty that the beginning of spring brings to our hearts. Go somewhere quiet to sit in silence and prayer. Continue to pray, bless, power healing, peace, hope and love to all and wear your Saturday smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 1110
Listen to how the trees, shrubs, flowers, crops, hedges and bulbs grow. They grow in silence and so can we. Patience, silence, peace and time will do more than force and rage.
Good morning everyone and welcome. I am delighted to announce our next RetrEat series commencing the first week of May to celebrate and welcome summer and in doing so bringing peace, understanding, happiness, clarity and peace of mind to many people and enabling people to be themselves. It is the most wonderful thing in the world to be ourselves and know who we are. For many people this can take a lifetime and that is why I believe it is a wonderful privilege and honour to enable people to reach their real and inner selves. That is why it is so important to stay close to nature and listen. Listen to how the trees, shrubs, flowers, crops, hedges and bulbs grow. They grow in silence and so can we. Patience, silence, peace and time will do more than force and rage. Continue to pray, bless, power healing, peace, hope and love to all and wear your Friday smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 1109
I took in some breaths and looked up in amazement at this beautiful magnolia and I received peace, completely unasked for and what beauty unfolded before my eyes.
Last evening I took a late stroll around the gardens to take stock of what work was ahead of me for the coming weeks in order that the gardens look their best for 2023. Always when I walk with nature I receive more that I seek but work in the gardens is very rewarding and suddenly I said to myself for just these moments, sit down, alone in the Thinking path. Sit in peace and meditation. There is no place I need to be right now, only here. I took in some breaths and looked up in amazement at this beautiful magnolia and I received peace, completely unasked for and what beauty unfolded before my eyes. Continue to pray, bless, power healing, peace, hope and love to all and wear your Thursday smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 1108
I believe that we should think back and move forward in childlike appreciation of our life, how we look at others, behave and gain the respect of our fellow man. Wouldn't it be a beautiful world?
Good afternoon everyone and welcome. Spring time is always a busy time anyway but it is so pleasurable to be outside in the fresh air. I believe that we should think back and move forward in childlike appreciation of our life, how we look at others, behave and gain the respect of our fellow man. Wouldn't it be a beautiful world? In this way we will find harmony between our heart, soul, mind and life and may there be kindness always in our gaze, no matter where we look. Continue to pray, bless, power healing, peace and hope to all and wear your smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 1107
Until such time as we protect every little thing in nature she cannot protect us. The best way to do this is early learning and by example and to teach our children what has been taught to us that the earth is our mother and we know how to treat her.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, Gardens and RetrEat centre. Everything seems to be flourishing with growth on the farm and in the gardens. Leaves are beginning to burst open on the big, old beech and oak trees. We have the ability to injure nature and so too does nature have the ability to injure us as we have seen in recent storms. Until such time as we protect every little thing in nature she cannot protect us. The best way to do this is early learning and by example and to teach our children what has been taught to us that the earth is our mother and we know how to treat her. Let us bless the earth so that nothing is forgotten or lost. It is the reservoir to our future. Continue to pray, bless, power healing, peace and hope to all who need it and wear your Tuesday smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick