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 246
It is Monday again, the beginning of another great and positive week. Yesterday to relax in the afternoon I planted some daffodil bulbs. I find gardening relaxing and a lovely way to spend an hour. I also walked the thinking path and the 3 gardens of mindfulness, meditation and forgiveness and really enjoyed a restful day which has set me up for a calm start to a new week.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on day 26 of our new lock down. It is Monday again, the beginning of another great and positive week. Yesterday to relax in the afternoon I planted some daffodil bulbs. I find gardening relaxing and a lovely way to spend an hour. I also walked the thinking path and the 3 gardens of mindfulness, meditation and forgiveness and really enjoyed a restful day which has set me up for a calm start to a new week. When I walk the thinking path I fend all my messages very reflective and healing. I find words of wisdom always inspire and comfort me on my journey through life and gently guides me through the day and week, months and years. I also find the deep silence of Sundays bring me a feeling of peace, solace, contentment and serenity. So today go to a quiet place and set yourself up for the day and the week. Continue to pray, bless and send healing to all you know and wear your smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 245
It is another Sunday morning, always a great day at Ballinwillin. I believe Sunday gives us more grace to pray, meditate and more time to be ourselves and during these times of being ourselves we have more time to give to others and in that line of subject I am receiving a lot of contact in varying forms from people suffering pain, both mental and physical and I feel it my duty to help as much as I can by praying with these people and sending energy to them.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on day 25 of our new lock down. It is another Sunday morning, always a great day at Ballinwillin. I believe Sunday gives us more grace to pray, meditate and more time to be ourselves and during these times of being ourselves we have more time to give to others and in that line of subject I am receiving a lot of contact in varying forms from people suffering pain, both mental and physical and I feel it my duty to help as much as I can by praying with these people and sending energy to them. Whatever the difficulties we experience in life they can also be a source of spiritual growth. Not all people can view it this way or realise that pain perceived and understood can have the power to transform our lives. How about this? If we met one trouble, pain and our heartache as we would greet a special visitor bearing wrapped gifts, would we unwrap the gift? Never, ever forget that “to become what we are and to become what we are capable of becoming is the Holy truth in life.” Continue to pray, bless and heal each other. Be mindful, be caring and continue to wear your Sunday smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 244
I love the early morning time and I remember as a child my father calling me, usually around 4pm, to help him with jobs around the farm, milking the cows, feeding the calves, the cocks crowing, the hens and geese cackling, the ducks bobbing around at the back of the house and I believe this is why I still love the early morning time.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on day 24 of our new lock down. I love the early morning time and I remember as a child my father calling me, usually around 4am, to help him with jobs around the farm, milking the cows, feeding the calves, the cocks crowing, the hens and geese cackling, the ducks bobbing around at the back of the house and I believe this is why I still love the early morning time. To enter our memories we need time and solitude to ask ourselves what treasures are hidden in our memories and most importantly we need to listen to what comes. The space between events in our life is where most of life is lived. The magic moments, the fantastic people, joy and sadness, all experiences from the fabric of who we are, people of the earth, people of the clay, a proud, spiritual and strong island people. Today is a day to feel proud of who we are and what we have achieved so stand up and take that bow proudly. Continue to pray, bless and send healing to each other and wear your smile. Spread the healing and make it FELT.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 243
This morning I have for company Marley and Foley, my two loyal followers and helpers, our two beautiful dogs. I also have for company my many deer, wild boar and goats and I know I am blessed to have these animals to work with on a daily basis and I do know that I live in a place of peace and energy and this morning I am happy to sit here for a while and breathe in all that energises me.
Good morning everyone and welcome once again to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on day 22 of our new lock down. This morning I walked down the yard and passed through the courtyard building and I looked up at the darkness of the entire building, which in normal times would be lit up inside and out and all bustle. I sat for a little while and reminisced on how much I am missing our guests at Ballinwillin House and what we have to look forward to once lock down is over. This morning I have for company Marley and Foley, my two loyal followers and helpers, our two beautiful dogs. I also have for company my many deer, wild boar and goats and I know I am blessed to have these animals to work with on a daily basis and I do know that I live in a place of peace and energy and this morning I am happy to sit here for a while and breathe in all that energises me. I also am very aware that there is a very special and divine energy coming from this beautiful piece of earth and no matter where I travel to I always allow my thoughts of the farm and place to heal me no matter how grey life can go at times and as I was saying yesterday – it takes very little to make a happy life.
Continue to pray, bless and send healing to all and wear your beautiful smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 242
I like Thursdays for the very simple reason, among many others, that I look forward to reading The Farmers Journal, a weekly edition of rural and farming affairs nationwide. It gives me a glance of many issues affecting farming families and I read it from cover to cover every Thursday evening and it is the only paper I purchase regularly. Why? Because it reminds me of my roots
Good morning everyone and welcome once again to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on day 22 of our new lock down. I like Thursdays for the very simple reason, among many others, that I look forward to reading The Farmers Journal, a weekly edition of rural and farming affairs nationwide. It gives me a glance of many issues affecting farming families and I read it from cover to cover every Thursday evening and it is the only paper I purchase regularly. Why? Because it reminds me of my roots, my farming roots and the principles are always the same – look after the basics and you will be fine and by the basics I mean your loved ones, your family, your friends, your loved ones both near and far and even in the distance. Loyalty is a great gift. It is to be treasured and I believe that is the reason as a farmer I love and live by the above mentioned. I was asked recently on a zoom conference what is the key to happiness? I responded immediately – it is at your feet and all around you, it is never in the distance or false. So for today concentrate on all that is near you. It will lead you on a road to great happiness which can be greatly misunderstood by so many. So today, pray for happiness, yours, mine, the country and continue to bless and send healing to each other and wear your beautiful smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 241
This morning I am going to talk to you about life at Ballinwillin House Farm and how I practice mindfulness during Covid19. Well it is quite simple really as I have said many times to you during my blogs. First thing every morning I spend about 5 minutes in meditation and thanksgiving mostly in the garden barefoot and nearly always before dawn and in tandem with the seasons. I find this process sets me up for the day.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on day 21 of our new lock down. This morning I am going to talk to you about life at Ballinwillin House Farm and how I practice mindfulness during Covid19. Well it is quite simple really as I have said many times to you during my blogs. First thing every morning I spend about 5 minutes in meditation and thanksgiving mostly in the garden barefoot and nearly always before dawn and in tandem with the seasons. I find this process sets me up for the day. Then I head off to the fields during spring, summer and autumn and in the winter time I feed the young animals in the sheds until it is bright enough to check and visit all the animals in the fields. During the rest of the day it is general farming and gardening or preparing meat for the various outlets. Then in the evening time when the days work is done I meditate usually for a period of no less than 90 minutes. This is a combination of meditation and prayer for many issues that I have been asked to pray for and also I would spend maybe 20 minutes sending healing to people who have asked for help. I find this part of the day very fulfilling and during my meditation I would speak openly with my spiritual ancestors and friends who are with me always and guiding me. By doing these regular activities I can reclaim any lost minutes of the day and I connect deeply with life and I find it gives me a great zest for life and people and leaves me very happy but it takes practice. So begin a little today and build it up and if you need any help don’t hesitate to send The Mindful Farmer an email. Continue to pray, bless and send healing to all and wear your smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 240
It was a dark, wet and windy morning here this morning but then shortly after daybreak the sun shone and I thought to myself the light of love is like a morning star which can live in the heart of everyone.
Good morning everyone and welcome once again to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on day 20 of our new lock down. It was a dark, wet and windy morning here this morning but then shortly after daybreak the sun shone and I thought to myself the light of love is like a morning star which can live in the heart of everyone. To get in touch with the morning star that can light up your heart we need to live in the now. We also need to simplify and empty our minds and transform our inner spiritual nourishment into the strength we need. It really doesn’t matter how we get on this path to the eternal truths that are waiting for us as long as we can take the journey with our star overhead like a lamp to our feet and guiding us along with Mother Earth all ready to welcome us home. Continue to pray, bless and send healing to each other. Be mindful, be thoughtful and wear your smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Dairy Day 239
It is Monday again and the beginning of yet another week so it is important to take our 3 minutes at the start of the day to prepare ourselves for a great day ahead and a great week and a fruitful week.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on day 19 of our new lock down. It is Monday again and the beginning of yet another week so it is important to take our 3 minutes at the start of the day to prepare ourselves for a great day ahead and a great week and a fruitful week. We all will have various tasks planned for the day and the week ahead but it is important not to be obsessed with tasks and deadlines and results because if we do we will miss the pleasure and joy along the way during the day. What is important is to be fruitful and to have passion in your daily dealings with all people. Live in the now and be the person you were born to be, a mindful, healing, caring person and continue to pray and send blessings to all you encounter and wear your Monday smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 238
Another Sunday, another day of rest and thanksgiving. For years going to church every Sunday was a way of life and for years religious and church institutions preached that they had all the answers. But we now know and we now believe that the spiritual way is the way peace, good living and the way of the pilgrim is the way of continuous renewal.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on day 18 of our new lock down and another Sunday, another day of rest and thanksgiving. For years going to church every Sunday was a way of life and for years religious and church institutions preached that they had all the answers. But we now know and we now believe that the spiritual way is the way peace, good living and the way of the pilgrim is the way of continuous renewal. Arrogance dies slowly but our way and the way of the pilgrim is the only way to humility and along that journey acknowledging that we have and can be wrong. We can think we are holy and we think that we have the truth, we can think that we are different, we think we have the right to judge others but if we do we are then unconsciously pharasies and we don’t want to be there. Have a lovely, holy and relaxed Sunday and be in the now. Continue to pray, bless and send healing to each other and all you care for and wear your Sunday best smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 237
Recently we had the joy of looking after our 2 beautiful grandchildren and what strikes me is their lack of fear, their freedom from the lack of need to succeed at everything. They just enjoy every experience in a simple and loving manner - unconditional love!
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on day 17 of our new lock down. It is a beautiful sunny morning. Recently we had the joy of looking after our 2 beautiful grandchildren and what strikes me is their lack of fear, their freedom from the lack of need to succeed at everything. They just enjoy every experience in a simple and loving manner - unconditional love! However, we as adults can become so frightened of failure that we are paralysed to such an extent that we are unable to create anything for fear of failure or looking foolish. One way for us adults to shake off that adult concern with success is to recapture our childhood joyous creation and to get involved in some creative past time in any art form or study nature, do a painting, get involved with mindfulness and meditation and live in the now and return to the person we were born to be and rest easy with the world and all in it. Continue to pray, bless and heal each other and hold a child’s hand and see how trusting and loving they are - it will power up your life and soul - how powerful and a recipe for success.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 236
This morning I want to talk to you about place and my place and my place where I live. I firmly believe that a place is a part of the environment that is claimed by feelings. Your feelings for your place and my feelings for my place. That is why I devote the gardens and farm at Ballinwillin House to Mindfulness.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on day 16 of our new lock down. The Mindful Farmer Patrick here with you again today. This morning I want to talk to you about place and my place and my place where I live. I firmly believe that a place is a part of the environment that is claimed by feelings. Your feelings for your place and my feelings for my place. That is why I devote the gardens and farm at Ballinwillin House to Mindfulness. Many of us travel all over the world to places of interest, famed places. But when we come home we always say “there is no place like home”, the place you know. Why? Because you have lived there most of your life. We never tire of our natural environment and when you are away all sorts of longings visit you. Sights, sounds, smell, products of home you miss. We must listen to our place when it speaks to us and if we don’t we will just be like a visitor on tour. Nothing can cure the soul like the senses just like nothing can cure the senses but the soul. Have a great, mindful and restful day and looking forward to joining you all on Monday next for my coaching programme. Continue to pray, bless and send healing to each other and wear your beautiful smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 235
This morning we have a beautiful fresh, frosty and white glistening morning. We are now into the variety of weather that winter brings and as we face into it we must gather the whole year of joys, sorrows, hopes and fears, love and dreams.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on day 14 of our new lock down. This morning we have a beautiful fresh, frosty and white glistening morning. We are now into the variety of weather that winter brings and as we face into it we must gather the whole year of joys, sorrows, hopes and fears, love and dreams. When I am in the gardens or the fields here at Ballinwillin I embrace what has been more authentic, more beautiful, more creative through the year and I give praise and thanks for it every day. Living in and with nature keeps us all grounded and makes us aware of all the miracles around us. That is my message and I feel of the day as I experience my life today and I will be sharing more with you on Monday next with my 3 day zoom coaching programme to nourish mind, body and soul and I look forward to meeting you there. In the meantime, continue to pray, bless and send healing to each other and wear your lovely smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 234
Going on now about life in general, at times it can be a real struggle for some people. It can be difficult for people to cope especially during a pandemic. During some times it can be difficult for some people to grow and be productive also the dreams that people have are put on hold instead of flying off with them and be who we are meant to be.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on day 14 of our new lock down. Firstly this morning I must tell you about what is happening next Monday, November 9th. I will be doing an online coaching programme to nourish mind and soul and help people discover their real purpose in life and especially now and this difficult time. You can find all the details on The Mindful Farmers website. Going on now about life in general, at times it can be a real struggle for some people. It can be difficult for people to cope especially during a pandemic. During some times it can be difficult for some people to grow and be productive also the dreams that people have are put on hold instead of flying off with them and be who we are meant to be. Together we will resolve that struggle and become more rooted and more free to move on with our life in peace and harmony with nature and life and don’t forget these 10 little amazing words “if it is to be it is up to me!”.
Continue to pray, bless and send healings to each other, be mindful and wear your amazing smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 233
This morning I am going to talk to you about creativity, our attitude to our creativity and our sense of self-worth and our self-esteem are directly connected to our early socialisation and memories. It is very important to remember our early days.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on day 13 of our new lock down. This morning I am going to talk to you about creativity, our attitude to our creativity and our sense of self-worth and our self-esteem are directly connected to our early socialisation and memories. It is very important to remember our early days. The early memories of growing up, playing in the fields, saving the hay, jumping around in the snow, splashing in rivers, running into the wind. Such good things can happen to people who learn to remember. Also remember your dear friends, past and present and to pray, bless and send healing to each other. Find a little time today to breathe slowly and meditate for a while and remember also, you don’t have to prove your worth to anyone, just embrace it and celebrate the fact that you are unique.
God bless.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 232
Another cold, wet and windy morning on the farm this morning. Winter has definitely arrived and as we enter winter, we come to the Sabbath time of year again when nature rests and now during these testing pandemic times and in our anxiety to go places and do things in our so termed “busy lives” we may miss many things in the world about us that we were used to doing.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on day 12 of our new lock down. Another cold, wet and windy morning on the farm this morning. Winter has definitely arrived and as we enter winter, we come to the Sabbath time of year again when nature rests and now during these testing pandemic times and in our anxiety to go places and do things in our so termed “busy lives” we may miss many things in the world about us that we were used to doing. During the month of November my parents would always give something up. Something they really liked and even though they were ordinary, simple, farming people they would increase prayer and reduce food intake and giving to the sacred. If we do similar for this month we can restore our openness to grace to make us alive to the miracles around us. Mam would often say “there is nothing so much like God in all the universe as silence”. Continue to pray, bless and send healing to each other and wear your smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 231
Today I was going to talk to you about “worth” both mine and yours, but we don’t have to prove our worth to anyone. We must embrace our worth and celebrate how we really are, celebrate who we really are and who we are meant to be. We must also celebrate our worth imperfect and whole as it really is.
Welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on day 11 of our new lock down. Yes, it is another Sunday. Always a special day. It is also the first of November and the start of another day. Today I was going to talk to you about “worth” both mine and yours, but we don’t have to prove our worth to anyone. We must embrace our worth and celebrate how we really are, celebrate who we really are and who we are meant to be. We must also celebrate our worth imperfect and whole as it really is. We must also celebrate the fact that we are unique and there will never be another you. It is time to drop a “agendas”. If we feel we have something to prove “we are still a prisoner”. All through our life we are confronted by bullies at various stages from school to adult life. But when a bully throws you a rope, don’t pick it up, don’t tug at it. It takes two to fight. It takes one to stop. Just say to yourself “the more he/she talks the more relaxed I become”. What happens in this situation is when a bully shouts or roars at you, what they are really doing is talking about who they really are. So remember, don’t pick up that rope and value your worth and the worth of the great people who value you and respect you. Continue to pray, bless and send healing to each other and wear that smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 230
At this time of year many of us remember our loved ones who have passed on to the spiritual world. We visit graveyards, we visit shrines, we do all sort of acts to show our love and respect to our passed loved ones. But I firmly believe “the spirit never dies” and that grief and the process of grief will guide us in a direction towards a life with more joy, and meaning and purpose.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on day 10 of our new lock down. At this time of year many of us remember our loved ones who have passed on to the spiritual world. We visit graveyards, we visit shrines, we do all sort of acts to show our love and respect to our passed loved ones. But I firmly believe “the spirit never dies” and that grief and the process of grief will guide us in a direction towards a life with more joy, and meaning and purpose. Talk to those who have passed. Tell them that you are thankful for the memories that you cherish, the skills he or she has taught you, the gifts you carry with you because that person has touched or influenced your life and always seek their advice and guidance for the future because now they have the gift of clear vision and finally ask them what do they wish for you. It is like being at a committee meeting or a board meeting but the difference here is that everybody is on your side and you don’t need to watch your back anymore. So for today, pray for your spiritual guidance and send blessings and healing to all and wear your beautiful smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 229
It is cold, wet and windy out there this morning so be sure to make the time for your 3 minutes of self gratitude and thanksgiving before donning the wollies and the wellies. So linger just for a little while in Gods presence and the presence of our spiritual ancestors before plunging into a busy day of activities.
Good morning everyone and welcome to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on day 9 of our new lock down. It is cold, wet and windy out there this morning so be sure to make the time for your 3 minutes of self gratitude and thanksgiving before donning the wollies and the wellies. So linger just for a little while in Gods presence and the presence of our spiritual ancestors before plunging into a busy day of activities. This daily practice is essential preparation for success and for both mental and physical health. When you come to think about it, all athletes nowadays take time to prepare both mentally and physically before a game or a race or whatever their chosen sport is. So why should we not prepare for the gift of a new day? If we are not fully equipped for the new day, the new journey, you will grow weary and lose heart. That is why it is so important to relax into the spirituality and soul of a new day. Continue to pray, bless and send healing to each other and wear your smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 228
This morning I would like to talk to you about our talents and how we use them. We cannot take any credit for our talents but it is how we use these talents in this moment that counts. We are only called by the spirit to do what is best suited to our gifts even if it doesn’t seem that way in the beginning.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on day 8 of our new lock down. This morning I would like to talk to you about our talents and how we use them. We cannot take any credit for our talents but it is how we use these talents in this moment that counts. We are only called by the spirit to do what is best suited to our gifts even if it doesn’t seem that way in the beginning. The world is as good as the many talents and gifts we commit ourselves to discovering, developing and offering and of course the most important factor of all, our work ethic that will fully allow our talents to blossom. During this pandemic we have a duty to use our talents to help us all navigate our way to a world of renewed peace, joy and happiness. Continue to pray, bless and send healing to all that need it. Be mindful and caring and wear your beautiful smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 227
Gandhi put it well when he said “be the change you want to be in life, be the change you want to see in the world”. If when you wake up in the morning and you take your 3 minutes to set yourself up for the day, if inside you there is only joy, peace and happiness then it doesn’t matter who puts pressure on you
Good morning everyone and welcome to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on day 7 into our new lock down. Gandhi put it well when he said “be the change you want to be in life, be the change you want to see in the world”. If when you wake up in the morning and you take your 3 minutes to set yourself up for the day, if inside you there is only joy, peace and happiness then it doesn’t matter who puts pressure on you or tries to stress you out or squeezes you in any way or pushes your buttons, all they will get is peace, joy and happiness and unconditional love. Why? Because that is what is within you and it will shine through. Have a great day and a mindful day. Continue to pray, bless and send healing to each other and wear your smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick