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 1426
I believe the same applies to our lives that are so closely connected to the rhythm of nature and God so never cease to rejoice in the joy of God's will and His pruning.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, Gardens and RetrEat centre. It is a wet and windy morning here at Ballinwillin and as I walk around the gardens and avenue all the plants are bare and stripped of their beauty and pruned but through the dark seemingly dead branches flows silently, secretly, the spirit of life of sap, waiting patiently for the sun of spring to breathe new life that leaves buds, blossoms, fruits a thousand times better for their pruning. I believe the same applies to our lives that are so closely connected to the rhythm of nature and God so never cease to rejoice in the joy of God's will and His pruning. 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 1425
The earth's whispers are everywhere but only those of us who have dreamt with the earth can hear them. My late mam often said "you will find the staircase to heaven through the earth's loveliness".
Good morning everyone and welcome. What a beautiful morning it is here this morning. We were expecting snow but instead the sun is up early and shining brightly and seems to be speaking to us in magical terms and especially to those of us who are listening with our hearts. The earth's whispers are everywhere but only those of us who have dreamt with the earth can hear them. My late mam often said "you will find the staircase to heaven through the earth's loveliness". 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 1424
I thought to myself "city life has marked and scared people like me who are rural mind, body and soul". I think to myself as I drive around slowly that a return to more rural ways of life could be a source of renewal for this cramped population. Where does neighbourness come into the city life? Where does community come to question?
Good morning everyone and welcome. Yesterday I spent much of the day crisscrossing the city and by evening time I was exhausted. City lights, traffic lights, bipping impatient sounding horns, bikes and scooters flying in all directions like scatty birds. I thought to myself "city life has marked and scared people like me who are rural mind, body and soul". I think to myself as I drive around slowly that a return to more rural ways of life could be a source of renewal for this cramped population. Where does neighbourness come into the city life? Where does community come to question? I have many more questions that haven't been answered for years by experts from within and without but for now I am so happy to be home and in a field with a love for the most precious things in life. Continue to pray, bless, power healing, peace, hope and love to all and wear yoru Thursday smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 1423
It will soon be four years since I began my daily blogs and I was thinking of celebrating the occasion with an open day at Ballinwillin House Farm, Gardens and RetrEat centre. It will be a day of mindfulness, prayer, reflection and peace open to all via a booking system or telephoning to arrange appointments and timings. It will be a time to see friends and recognise whose faces are kin and kind.
Good morning everyone and welcome. Earlier this morning I was thinking and then realised that it will soon be four years since I began my daily blogs and I was thinking of celebrating the occasion with an open day at Ballinwillin House Farm, Gardens and RetrEat centre. It will be a day of mindfulness, prayer, reflection and peace open to all via a booking system or telephoning to arrange appointments and timings. It will be a time to see friends and recognise whose faces are kin and kind. It will give encouragement and peace to those who need it and looking back over these four years to give thanks for the gifts we have been given, things that effort might never have earned. We give thanks also for the health to enjoy who we are and want to be and the mind to mirror the mystery of it all. 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 1422
We all need a balanced purpose in our lives and we pray that no day ever burdens us.
Good morning everyone and welcome. We are after a long weekend and it can be difficult to get back to a working life again gearing up for all the usual and busy tasks for the week. If we face the week ahead with the blessing and thoughtfulness of having work and may the sacredness of your work bring light and renewal to those who work with us and also to those who see and receive our work to exhaust us only bringing inspiration and excitement to our families and work colleagues. We all need a balanced purpose in our lives and we pray that no day ever burdens us. 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 1421
I often think of how much or many of us have become separated from nature, from our true selves and the source of our being. When this happens to us we need to stop, to listen to our inner voice and become aware and attuned and come back to ourselves and who we really are. It is not too difficult to achieve if we practice daily. Each day will only dawn if we are truly awake.
Good morning everyone and welcome spring is certainly beginning to show its seasonal wonder. Buds are forming and many will soon open, seedlings fast appearing all with their own rhythm and timing as they emerge from rest and darkness. Nature will power them through when its time has come, that is the way it always was and will be. I often think of how much or many of us have become separated from nature, from our true selves and the source of our being. When this happens to us we need to stop, to listen to our inner voice and become aware and attuned and come back to ourselves and who we really are. It is not too difficult to achieve if we practice daily. Each day will only dawn if we are truly awake. Continue to pray, bless, power healing, peace, hope and love to all and wear your Monday smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 1420
We have had losses, some wonderful people have passed on but the wonderful memories are safely stored and will never die. The years go quickly by and it is important to treasure and keep the love and joy we have known and whatever life has in store for us the memories, love and joy will keep us strong.
Good morning everyone and welcome. Last night we had a gathering of old friends in a neighbours house and we had a beautiful meal and a great sing song. It was a great night to be and feel Irish, a people who we really are. It has been many years since we all got together and during this time tide and time did separate us. We have had losses, some wonderful people have passed on but the wonderful memories are safely stored and will never die. The years go quickly by and it is important to treasure and keep the love and joy we have known and whatever life has in store for us the memories, love and joy will keep us strong. Have a lovely, peaceful, mindful Sunday and 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 1419
People are rushing everywhere and it is no way to live our lives. Anything that is forced or rushed is not whole. For anything to be worthwhile, even the fruits of nature, we need patience and time so over this weekend take time, take it easy especially if you are travelling and all will be ok.
Good morning everyone and welcome. We are in the midst of a bank holiday weekend. People are rushing everywhere and it is no way to live our lives. Anything that is forced or rushed is not whole. For anything to be worthwhile, even the fruits of nature, we need patience and time so over this weekend take time, take it easy especially if you are travelling and all will be ok. To be here is immense so be careful and enjoy life and 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 1418
What a joy it was this morning to awaken to see the first rhododendrons bursting with a flame of beautiful and fragrant deep pink flowers. It is a sure sign that spring has arrived and it is not quantifiable the joy that it brings to one's heart, soul and mind.
Good morning everyone and welcome. What a joy it was this morning to awaken to see the first rhododendrons bursting with a flame of beautiful and fragrant deep pink flowers. It is a sure sign that spring has arrived and it is not quantifiable the joy that it brings to one's heart, soul and mind. Irrespective of the cold and bitter winter weather these beautiful buds will burst forth and give me at least six weeks of colour and joy. Nature and her allies of beauty and adornment always hold loyal to the memory of earth and gives us the courage that will cause our lives to flame in the name of spring, in the name of light and in the honour of God. 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 1417
When I was a child we were taught by our parents to make the St. Brigid's cross and they would be hung up over the fireplace and over the barn doors to protect the people and the animals. The crosses would be blessed with Holy water and it was believed and still is. We believe that St. Brigid would cross the lands on the eve of her feast day and give blessings and protection to the homes and farms where the crosses were hung in her honour.
Good morning everyone and welcome on this very special day St. Brigid's Day, la le Bridie, Ireland's only female patron saint. This day had its origins in the Celtic Festival of Imbolc. It marks the festival of fertility and the beginning of spring and a new season of hope and growth. It also has great importance in farming life, of new growth and the birth of farm animals. It was also very important to seek protection and blessings for the family, hope, crops and animals at this time. When I was a child we were taught by our parents to make the St. Brigid's cross and they would be hung up over the fireplace and over the barn doors to protect the people and the animals. The crosses would be blessed with Holy water and it was believed and still is. We believe that St. Brigid would cross the lands on the eve of her feast day and give blessings and protection to the homes and farms where the crosses were hung in her honour. Our prayers at this time were always special and still feel so. It is a beautiful time and I urge you all to embrace this time. It is who we are as a people. Continue to pray, bless, power healing, peace, hope and love to all and wear your St. Brigids day smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 1416
There are certain things that can happen to us when we connect with the soil and spirit of rural Ireland. Here we are away from the fixed world and daily routine and grounded facts and we enter a world where something begins to edge its way into forming us into who we are going to be and it has always been happening. Each of us, a child of rural earth, has this possibility so honour it, protect it and continue the tradition.
Good morning everyone and welcome. Today I am heading off to a very historic part of Ireland, Currow in Co. Kerry was made famous by the late Con Houlihan, a brilliant writer, the Doyle Brothers, Moss Keane and lately JJ Hourihane. It makes me feel very proud of our rural heritage and our inner celtic belief and spirituality. There are certain things that can happen to us when we connect with the soul and spirit of rural Ireland. Here we are away from the fixed world and daily routine and grounded facts and we enter a world where something begins to edge its way into forming us into who we are going to be and it has always been happening. Each of us, a child of rural earth, has this possibility so honour it, protect it and continue the tradition. 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 1415
Every living thing other than the human being is capable of living in a balanced way, balancing the time for rest and activity, the times of light and darkness but many of us run ourselves into the ground, burning the candle at both ends to achieve targets set mainly by other people. We must learn to be still in the midst of activity and be vibrantly alive in repose. It takes practice but it is achievable. Choose your time for rest.
I was talking last evening with a person who is exhausted with looking after a family, commuting 3 hours each day to work, looking after the household and this person is not alone. There are many, many more in this situation. Every living thing other than the human being is capable of living in a balanced way, balancing the time for rest and activity, the times of light and darkness but many of us run ourselves into the ground, burning the candle at both ends to achieve targets set mainly by other people. We must learn to be still in the midst of activity and be vibrantly alive in repose. It takes practice but it is achievable. Choose your time for rest. 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 1414
We are fortunate to be blessed with good friends and when we are in the company of good, great and loyal friends it allows one to journey to that place in one's soul where there is warmth, empathy, feeling and love. It will change you. You have then entered into a garden where there are roses that exude perfume, pearls, beauty beyond your imagination and kindness. What more does one desire?
Good morning everyone and welcome. We had an amazing weekend at Ballinwillin House Farm, Gardens and RetrEat centre. We spent the weekend sampling and preparing food for the upcoming wedding of culinary friends Derek and Martha. Now, to say that these two people are food experts, ambassadors and friends is not doing them justice and the best way to describe them. We are fortunate to be blessed with good friends and when we are in the company of good, great and loyal friends it allows one to journey to that place in one's soul where there is warmth, empathy, feeling and love. It will change you. You have then entered into a garden where there are roses that exude perfume, pearls, beauty beyond your imagination and kindness. What more does one desire? Continue to pray, bless, power healing, peace, hope and love to all and wear your Monday smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 1413
As we all know the mind of time is hard to read and we can never predict what it will bring. Time gathers its moments secretly and often we only know it's time to change and rest when a force has built inside the heart. When we rest and meditate we experience a peaceful time that allows wisdom of the heart and the blessings of kindness to share with others.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, Gardens and RetrEat centre. Sunday is always a great day to take stock of our lives and a good time to refresh the body and mind as it is a day of relative rest for most people. As we all know the mind of time is hard to read and we can never predict what it will bring. Time gathers its moments secretly and often we only know it's time to change and rest when a force has built inside the heart. When we rest and meditate we experience a peaceful time that allows wisdom of the heart and the blessings of kindness to share with others. On this Sunday continue to pray, bless, power healing, peace, hope and love to all in a spirit that nobody exists today without love or care.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 1412
The real secret in being gentle is learning to be with a situation and letting it be as it is. When we relax our defensive structures then only can our wisdom, guidance and love shine through for ourselves and for others. When we look into our hearts may our eyes have the kindness and reverence of candlelight just like our mother, our lover or a friend.
Good morning everyone and welcome. Earlier this morning at the breakfast table I had a beautiful conversation with a very kind and Holy person. We spoke about many issues but what appealed to me about this lady was the manner of her gentle speech with loving eyes. No wonder she gave her life to working in the missions caring for the poor and downtrodden. Being gentle does not mean always liking what we see or simply tolerating whatever arises in one's life or circumstances. The real secret in being gentle is learning to be with a situation and letting it be as it is. When we relax our defensive structures then only can our wisdom, guidance and love shine through for ourselves and for others. When we look into our hearts may our eyes have the kindness and reverence of candlelight just like our mother, our lover or a friend. 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 1411
I pray that each dawn will bring hope and healing to all and that each day will bring new dreams, possibilities and promises and may our soul calm, console and renew us all.
Good morning everyone. The Mindful Farmer is feeling happy and grateful after my good news yesterday. I was back in the hospital for a check up on my new knee and now I am allowed to drive and take on a new exercise regime. It is great news. I really value my new freedom and I look forward to the days and months ahead to regain as much mobility as possible. I also pray this day and every day for people who are injured or suffering pain in any way as it can be very invasive to mind, body and soul. I pray that each dawn will bring hope and healing to all and that each day will bring new dreams, possibilities and promises and may our soul calm, console and renew us all. Continue to pray, bless, power healing, peace, hope and love to all and let us all wear your Friday smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 1410
As a matter of routine every night before I retire I always go outside to see what the night is doing, what the sky looks like and then say a prayer for everyone inside the house and for my family wherever they are. I learned this practice from my parents as they would do likewise in turns at night time and bless themselves with Holy water.
Good morning everyone and welcome. We have had two storms in as many days and lots of debris around the farm and gardens but thank God there is no structural damage. As a matter of routine every night before I retire I always go outside to see what the night is doing, what the sky looks like and then say a prayer for everyone inside the house and for my family wherever they are. I learned this practice from my parents as they would do likewise in turns at night time and bless themselves with Holy water. I find that this ritual recharges my spirit and I feel blessed and I forward this feeling to those who are dear to me and then I head off to bed in a peaceful manner feeling thankful and blessed. 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 1409
For a person to leave this community is akin to a bird leaving the nest. It can be difficult and tough on everyone, on oneself, parents, friends and role models. Initially life can be and was lonely. The outside, unsheltered world knocks one about but this tough outside world can help one fly and adjust to the trials and tribulations of life. When one travels a new silence will travel with you and if you listen you will hear what your heart would love to say, that "a journey can become a sacred thing."
Good morning everyone and welcome. I often speak about growing up in a parish in rural Ireland and living and experiencing the sheltered environment of a community. For a person to leave this community it is akin to a bird leaving the nest. It can be difficult and tough on everyone, on oneself, parents, friends and role models. Initially life can be and was lonely. The outside, unsheltered world knocks one about but this tough outside world can help one fly and adjust to the trials and tribulations of life. When one travels a new silence will travel with you and if you listen you will hear what your heart would love to say, that "a journey can become a sacred thing." 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 1408
We often talk and reminisce about places we have visited, about their beauty and distinction and that it is a very nice place to go to but for me it is the very special people that I have met during my life and that I still have in my life and whenever and wherever I am with them it is there that a place becomes very, very special. When I visit that place there is always love, warmth and feeling in my heart and soul.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, Gardens and RetrEat centre. We often talk and reminisce about places we have visited, about their beauty and distinction and that it is a very nice place to go to but for me it is the very special people that I have met during my life and that I still have in my life and whenever and wherever I am with them it is there that a place becomes very, very special. When I visit that place there is always love, warmth and feeling in my heart and soul. This feeling and such places will always change you and last in my memories. 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 1407
In this interim period I can only pray that Mother Nature will forgive us for what we have done to offend her. We never know the script of our lives, nor do we know what is coming towards us.
Good morning everyone and welcome. Storm Isha is in full swing here this morning and we are busy checking around to assess what damage is done. The power of nature is very evident here for the past 24 hours, gusts battering the house, windows rolling, trees bending to kiss the earth. She is not finished yet. Her anger - not fully vented. In this interim period I can only pray that Mother Nature will forgive us for what we have done to offend her. We never know the script of our lives, nor do we know what is coming towards us. Therefore it is important to pray, bless, power healing, peace, hope and love to Mother Nature and all we know and care for and keep them all safe during this very violent storm.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick