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 366
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to The Mindful Farmers daily blog, today not coming from Ballinwillin House Farm but from St. Johns Ward in The Galway Clinic Hospital. The Mindful Farmer is not his usual powerful self and not feeling great but my medical advisors and great friends are determined to get to grips with my situation and power healing my way and through this journey may I be granted the wisdom to avoid false resistance as suffering knocks on my door and may I have enough wisdom and strength to glimpse its eventual gifts.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to The Mindful Farmers daily blog, today not coming from Ballinwillin House Farm but from St. Johns Ward in The Galway Clinic Hospital. The Mindful Farmer is not his usual powerful self and not feeling great but my medical advisors and great friends are determined to get to grips with my situation and power healing my way and through this journey may I be granted the wisdom to avoid false resistance as suffering knocks on my door and may I have enough wisdom and strength to glimpse its eventual gifts. Time gathers its moments secretly and after we only know when it is time to change when a force gathers inside the heart and leaves us uneasy as we are and maybe the work we do has lost its soul. One thing is for certain - the mind of time is hard to read. Did it keep me confined in a pale frame? Did I reside in vacant endurance? Did it scorch my souls desire? These are the questions I ask myself now in the solitude of a hospital room and here this March night, this wound will gradually dawn towards healing and freedom. Continue to pray, bless and power healing to all who need it and wear your smile. From a mindful, poetic and relaxed farmer. God bless you all.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 365
Well, well, a full year of daily blogs. Who would have thought our world would bring us in this direction and keep us here. What a year it has been for families, businesses and life in general. Homes and businesses have been destroyed, families have lost some of their nearest and dearest without even being able to say goodbye in our traditional sense
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on day 75 of our latest lock down. Well, well, a full year of daily blogs. Who would have thought our world would bring us in this direction and keep us here. What a year it has been for families, businesses and life in general. Homes and businesses have been destroyed, families have lost some of their nearest and dearest without even being able to say goodbye in our traditional sense and even The Mindful Farmer had a close encounter with the next world. Ironically on the 365th day of my daily blogs I am going back into hospital again but I will keep in touch while I am alive. Yes, what a year it has been for me, my family and our businesses all closed due to Covid19 but while there is life there is hope and I am blessed with a great family and friends. There is no denying that this has been the toughest and longest year I have ever experienced but onwards and upwards now for us all. Whatever we can do or dream lets begin it now. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it so begin it now and remember those ten little words "if it is to be it is up to me" Continue to pray, bless and power healing to all who need it and wear your Monday smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 364
Another Sunday but not an ordinary one - it is Mothers Day and a tribute to the great women throughout the world. Maybe I am biased here but I firmly believe that Irish mothers are the best in the world based on my experience with my own Mum.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on day 74 of our latest lock down. Another Sunday but not an ordinary one - it is Mothers Day and a tribute to the great women throughout the world. Maybe I am biased here but I firmly believe that Irish mothers are the best in the world based on my experience with my own Mum. She was always in charge both inside the house and on the farm. There was always a fresh smell of homemade bread, scones and tarts. Always a welcome for everyone. Her soothing voice always to the fore and there was always a consistency to her gentleness and the home was always filled with a climate of kindness where every mind felt free to express themselves in seeking their own direction. We can all say that there were many things we could and should have said but under her compassionate heart words were never wanted. We can all go on and on about our wonderful mothers. I think they will be happy enough today if we silently hold their hearts in our prayers and wish all mothers a happy mothers day. Continue to pray, bless and power healing to all people especially the mothers and wear a smile for them.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 363
We all meet some wonderful and amazing people in our lives, people who really care about our well being. One aspect of life that really inspires me is that through others we learn a lot about ourselves and what we can achieve through self knowledge.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on day 73 of our latest lock down. We all meet some wonderful and amazing people in our lives, people who really care about our well being. One aspect of life that really inspires me is that through others we learn a lot about ourselves and what we can achieve through self knowledge. True self knowledge can only be found in the reflected appraisal of those whom we have loved and those who care about us and love us. When people are grateful and praise me I promise and remind myself to return to the farm or gardens and give praise and credit where it is really due, to Mother Nature, my spiritual ancestors, my family and great friends and great people around us. May we all learn to be great friends journeying in life to a place in our soul where there is joy, love, warmth and feeling. Continue to pray, bless and power healing to all who need it and wear your smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 362
Today and every day look for the beauty of nature all around you and return it to the world around you in a smile, a loving word or a kind thought or a prayer and power healing to all who need it. Love more, laugh more and wear your smile - it mirrors your soul.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on day 72 of our latest lock down. I am looking forward to a time where I can do my live broadcasts and videos from the gardens and farm but the weather is too inclement at the moment but when the opportunity presents we will go outside again and draw beauty from every flower and joy from the beautiful bird song and we can draw beauty from the fresh air. We must absorb the beauty of nature and when the beauty of a flower or a tree is impressed upon us it leaves an imprint and image in our soul and this is reflected in our mind and our actions. Today and every day look for the beauty of nature all around you and return it to the world around you in a smile, a loving word or a kind thought or a prayer and power healing to all who need it. Love more, laugh more and wear your smile - it mirrors your soul.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 361
Each and every one of us has a unique role in this life and no one else can fill this role. We are all precious in Gods eyes and the message I will leave you with this morning is "the point in life is not to succeed, the point in my entire life is to die trying and to never, ever give up"
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on day 71 of our latest lock down. When you get to a mature stage in life I believe and feel the ease of the years and as I said to a beautiful lady friend this evening "no matter what happens me I have had a good run at life and a most enjoyable one" There is no higher destiny than to live your own life, to be in our time and take up our very own place. Each and every one of us has a unique role in this life and no one else can fill this role. We are all precious in Gods eyes and the message I will leave you with this morning is "the point in life is not to succeed, the point in my entire life is to die trying and to never, ever give up" Continue to pray, bless and power healing to all who need it and wear your smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 360
I pray a lot when I'm gardening and it reminds me that the dawn of the year is nigh and brings hope. We will have longer, brighter days, more growth, more colour, more fragrance. It all symbolises hope and hope is beyond what we can imagine because we all know that spring always comes around.
Good afternoon everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on day 70 of our latest lock down. The Mindful Farmer is doing a bit of work in the gardens these days. Shovels, rakes, hoes and hedge trimmers are all coming out of storage. The soil needs to be nourished, the plants need pruning and looking after, seedlings need to be planted and so on. In Ballinwillin we have a lot of mature hedging and this requires a lot of work, some of my signs in the Thinking Path need repair after the winter storms, but March and April, with our help, allows all that is beautiful in the garden to fall back into shape again. I pray a lot when I'm gardening and it reminds me that the dawn of the year is nigh and brings hope. We will have longer, brighter days, more growth, more colour, more fragrance. It all symbolises hope and hope is beyond what we can imagine because we all know that spring always comes around. Do we realise that it is always different? Always more beautiful? So today, let us bless and celebrate the coming and the imagination of spring. Continue to pray, bless and power healing to all who need it and wear your Wednesday smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 359
Each day we become older, do we become wiser? I have my doubts at times. You are who you are and if you live life through your heart in my book that's living. We are always in a constant state of growth irrespective of our age. Growth comes from the mistakes we make, the challenges we face, the people we meet, the risks we take, the setbacks we experience, the opportunities we take.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on day 69 of our latest lock down. Each day we become older, do we become wiser? I have my doubts at times. You are who you are and if you live life through your heart in my book that's living. We are always in a constant state of growth irrespective of our age. Growth comes from the mistakes we make, the challenges we face, the people we meet, the risks we take, the setbacks we experience, the opportunities we take. How we grow depends on how we receive what comes our way. It is important for us all to live in the now and be like we are meant to be and laughter always breathes joy through our souls. 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 358
It is another beautiful and sunny morning here at Ballinwillin House and this beautiful morning sun is with us to celebrate a great day - International Women's Day and speaking from a male perspective we all owe a great gratitude to our mothers. There was a heading in this week's Farmers Journal "there would be no farming without women" and this is true. The women on the farm were always the back bone of the farm. In life our mothers voice was the first home sound we listened to before we could see.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on day 68 of our latest lock down. It is another beautiful and sunny morning here at Ballinwillin House and this beautiful morning sun is with us to celebrate a great day - International Women's Day and speaking from a male perspective we all owe a great gratitude to our mothers. There was a heading in this week's Farmers Journal "there would be no farming without women" and this is true. The women on the farm were always the back bone of the farm. In life our mothers voice was the first home sound we listened to before we could see. Her nearness always filled the air, always nurturing and fostering. We are all formed from the depths beneath a woman's heart. They know us inside out - we could not grow anywhere else and her presence was always a sheltering tree where our tender hearts could rest. So for today think of all the women out there who have helped us and shaped our lives and say a little prayer for them. Continue to pray, bless and power healing to all who need it and wear a smile for all women.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 357
The open fire was the counselling centre and we all had our say and issues were dealt with and we got on with life the following day. Nowadays many houses have no fireplaces, no counselling centre, no cinders to remind us in the morning that our problems had been dealt with and many of them were not real problems just built up images of nothing.
Good afternoon everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on day 67 of our latest lock down. Last night as a family we sat around an open fire and had a good old discussion about many things but in particular the present health condition of The Mindful Farmer and I could not help remember that this was how we always dealt with issues and problems in the old days back home in West Limerick. The open fire was the counselling centre and we all had our say and issues were dealt with and we got on with life the following day. Nowadays many houses have no fireplaces, no counselling centre, no cinders to remind us in the morning that our problems had been dealt with and many of them were not real problems just built up images of nothing. I know people will say "what about fossil fuels" but we only burn fallen trees that a many hundreds of years old and the ashes return to the soil and the flames drink the air and release in us all that is enduring and breathe a new and refreshing urgency into our life where the flames have burnt away all that is false. Continue to pray, bless and power healing to all who need it and wear your Sunday smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 356
Hope is not optimised - it is what we have when optimism fails us. Hope is our ability to see through false optimism of our time. It is the ability to see the reality of despair in the world and yet being able to see that all is in tune with the divine purpose of creation. We all love to pursue knowledge in our life and it is said that every day is a school day and we learn something new everyday. But maybe it is just as wise to drop something every day in the pursuit of wisdom.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on day 66 of our latest lock down. Hope - we all need hope in our lives to survive and live on. Hope is not optimised - it is what we have when optimism fails us. Hope is our ability to see through false optimism of our time. It is the ability to see the reality of despair in the world and yet being able to see that all is in tune with the divine purpose of creation. We all love to pursue knowledge in our life and it is said that every day is a school day and we learn something new everyday. But maybe it is just as wise to drop something every day in the pursuit of wisdom. At this time of year the hidden bulbs are driving forth with force out of the hard ground to please us with beautiful spring flowers but in time our innate wisdom will blossom for us all too and the good will be visible in all of us. Continue to pray, bless and power healing to all who need it and wear your weekend smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 355
On this day seventeen years ago and around this time Dad passed away to his spiritual reward but he is always by my side spiritually everywhere I go and every thought I have. It is fitting that his body returned to the clay in March as together we always broke the soil in March and prepared the soil for the planting of vegetables and he would always hold the clay in his hands and get me to smell it. He would say "isn't this beautiful, isn't this magical"
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on day 65 of our latest lock down. Another beautiful morning again this morning and The Mindful Farmer is feeling a little sombre this morning but in a happy way if the two fits one and I will help you understand why. On this day seventeen years ago and around this time Dad passed away to his spiritual reward but he is always by my side spiritually everywhere I go and every thought I have. It is fitting that his body returned to the clay in March as together we always broke the soil in March and prepared the soil for the planting of vegetables and he would always hold the clay in his hands and get me to smell it. He would say "isn't this beautiful, isn't this magical" and then we would work away and turn the soil together and as I would watch my dribbles of sweat pouring into the soil today I will shed a tear into the soil in warm memory to a great Dad who was widely reputed in his area to be the best workman of his time. I have inherited his genes but could not be fit to tie his shoelaces with regard to determination and work ethic. Today I do not need to weep your passing but my tears may meet yours in our eternal soil where we will meet in our safe place in our hearts where no storm or pain and suffering can reach us and may you always reign beside our family where your smile brightens and your kindness glows. Miss you Dad. Continue to pray, bless and power healing and wear a kind smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 354
It is a form of security for all of us. It can be likened to diving into a sea of cold water but doing it anyway and then suddenly enjoying the experience. It is like a new security as you swim with abandon and freedom. We can now fulfill new voyages so that our new life can awaken and call out for its new freedom that will give way to a new and deeper generosity in all our lives and a new surge in our lives.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on day 64 of our latest lock down. I firmly believe that we all believe in some God and we trust in that God no matter what and trusting also in the universe. It is a form of security for all of us. It can be likened to diving into a sea of cold water but doing it anyway and then suddenly enjoying the experience. It is like a new security as you swim with abandon and freedom. We can now fulfill new voyages so that our new life can awaken and call out for its new freedom that will give way to a new and deeper generosity in all our lives and a new surge in our lives. Continue to pray, bless and power healing to all who need it and wear your Thursday smile. Today is World Book Day 2021 and I would highly recommend The Choice by Edith Eger a great Hungarian woman who coined a great phrase "even in hell, hope can flower".
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 353
It is another beautiful morning here at Ballinwillin House as hope grows, as life emerges from the darkness of Mother Earth and her winter wings. After the long, dark days of winter and waiting our perseverance has been rewarded and what was hidden is now beginning to creep up over ground. From now on we will have colourful surprises everywhere on the land and in the garden. It will be brighter and brighter each day from now on.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on day 63 of our latest lock down. It is another beautiful morning here at Ballinwillin House as hope grows, as life emerges from the darkness of Mother Earth and her winter wings. After the long, dark days of winter and waiting our perseverance has been rewarded and what was hidden is now beginning to creep up over ground. From now on we will have colourful surprises everywhere on the land and in the garden. It will be brighter and brighter each day from now on. This is the opportunity for us to be brighter and lighter each moment. This beginning has been quietly forming, waiting to emerge. Are we all ready to emerge this spring? I believe so and I pray for the blessing of the coming of this wonderful time and let us nurture the dream of this growth time. Power healing to all who need it and wear your Spring smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 352
My wish for today and every day from now on is, God willing, to make the courage today to live the life I would love and to postpone my dreams no longer but to do at last what I came here for and waste my heart or fear no more. Now there is plenty to think about for us all today and into the future.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on day 62 of our latest lock down. Another beautiful, crisp, fresh morning here this morning. The birds are in full chorus and you can actually see everything coming alive right in front of your eyes. I can feel my body and mind really coming alive today and I am happy to risk being disturbed and changed. My wish for today and every day from now on is, God willing, to make the courage today to live the life I would love and to postpone my dreams no longer but to do at last what I came here for and waste my heart or fear no more. Now there is plenty to think about for us all today and into the future. 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 351
It was a frightening experience, not for me but for my family but now I must march forward once again with the usual determination and even though my destination is not quite clear yet I have to trust the promise of this new beginning and I pray for the strength and spirit for this awakened adventure where I can hold nothing back and I learn to find ease with new risks in life and hopefully I will be led home to a new rhythm where the soul senses the exciting new world that awaits me and where I will be able to see the kindness in every heart.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on day 61 of our latest lock down. It is another beautiful morning here this morning and the beginning of a new month - the spring month of March. It is fair to say that February was a difficult month for The Mindful Farmer and it is two weeks today that I was taken away by the heart ambulance. It was a frightening experience, not for me but for my family but now I must march forward once again with the usual determination and even though my destination is not quite clear yet I have to trust the promise of this new beginning and I pray for the strength and spirit for this awakened adventure where I can hold nothing back and I learn to find ease with new risks in life and hopefully I will be led home to a new rhythm where the soul senses the exciting new world that awaits me and where I will be able to see the kindness in every heart. 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 350
Nobody will see today as you do, why? Because each and every one of us is unique, our vision is unique. How we view everything and each day is ours and ours only and it is up to each and every one of us to create and complete our day full of happiness, joy and thanksgiving. On this Sunday get a glimpse of heaven in a beautiful flower, we can hold it in the palm of our hand and eternity in every minute. Let us all bless the imagination of the earth.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on day 60 of our latest lock down. Another beautiful morning, another beautiful and welcome Sunday and when I look out my window of wonder this morning what do I see? One thing is for sure that no one will see it like I do that's for sure. Nobody will see today as you do, why? Because each and every one of us is unique, our vision is unique. How we view everything and each day is ours and ours only and it is up to each and every one of us to create and complete our day full of happiness, joy and thanksgiving. On this Sunday get a glimpse of heaven in a beautiful flower, we can hold it in the palm of our hand and eternity in every minute. Let us all bless the imagination of the earth. Continue to pray, bless and power healing to all who need it and continue to wear your smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 349
The mind needs blessings to heal and no matter what torments, or what demons haunts us, when we are blessed the fruits of healing ripen within us and suddenly a natural and peaceful serenity awakens within us and surrounds us like a warm blanket to comfort and heal us.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on day 59 of our latest lock down. It is a lovely, fresh morning here at Ballinwillin House this morning and as I look out my window of wonder this morning I notice that the yard is scattered with crows and they nibble on the small pebbles of the avenue. They have to consume a certain amount of stone each day for their digestive system into their craw. I then think at times that our minds are like crows, they pick up everything that glitters no matter how uncomfortable they get and take it back to the nest. We too fill our minds with an abundance of unnecessary rubbish. The mind needs blessings to heal and no matter what torments, or what demons haunts us, when we are blessed the fruits of healing ripen within us and suddenly a natural and peaceful serenity awakens within us and surrounds us like a warm blanket to comfort and heal us. Continue to pray, bless and power healing to all who need it and continue wearing your smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 349
We all plant our gardens in hope and anticipation and accept that while we can anticipate problems, even disasters, we cannot control them as Mother Nature is controlling larger forces than we can comprehend and understand. When I plant a tree I am always stricken by the age of the clay, the ancient soil that holds the secret and memories of generations.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on day 58 of our latest lock down. As I look out my window of wonder this morning and gaze out at my newly planted orchard and grandchildrens playground I feel a huge sense of happiness and gratitude. We all plant our gardens in hope and anticipation and accept that while we can anticipate problems, even disasters, we cannot control them as Mother Nature is controlling larger forces than we can comprehend and understand. When I plant a tree I am always stricken by the age of the clay, the ancient soil that holds the secret and memories of generations. I am warmed by the feel and smell of the earth and as I now wait for the warmth of spring I pray that the combined dreams of The Mindful Farmer, grandchildren, children, family and the sacred earth will all combine and together remember within us the ancient clay and hold our memories for all seasons. Continue to pray, bless and power healing to all who need it and continue to wear your smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick
The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 347
I now understand that I have travelled fast and hard over the ground of life and now the time has come for me to rest up and time for my soul to take me back. It is time to stay clear of those with vexed spirits and learn to live more with people who respect and understand human nature and stay in a safe place where calmness can claim me.
Good morning everyone and welcome once more to Ballinwillin House Farm, gardens and RetrEat centre on day 57 of our latest lock down. The Mindful Farmer is not feeling great this morning. You really notice when the rhythm of your heart becomes hectic. There is only a time before the strain will snap and then all unattended stress falls in on the body and the soul like an endless weight. I now understand that I have travelled fast and hard over the ground of life and now the time has come for me to rest up and time for my soul to take me back. It is time to stay clear of those with vexed spirits and learn to live more with people who respect and understand human nature and stay in a safe place where calmness can claim me. It is time for me to be excessively gentle with myself and that is my advice for all of you out there today. Continue to pray, bless and power healing to all who need it and wear your smile.
The Mindful Farmer
Patrick