Isn’t it great to see the length of these early summer days? The mornings are much brighter, with sunlight and bird song.

These are the images and experiences I have each morning when I look through my “window of wonder”; having first given thanks for at least three wonderful aspects of my life.

As society begins to gradually reopen, this can be a challenging month for many – and for varied reasons.

In all situations in life, whatever you embark on, you must put the time in and you must train – so, too, with coping, and coping in a mindful capacity.

Coping

We must build up a schedule of coping mechanisms, breathing, being still and being silent for just a little time each day. Build it up, and then your mind and body will begin to talk to you saying (just like your Fitbit): time for exercise; time to be mindful; time to be in a silent place. This will lead to a beautiful peace in you, and all around you.

Now, you might say, “I don’t have the time,” but if you take the time it will change your life.

It is difficult for me to really instil how easy it is to achieve this space and peace

Life is all about balance, and that balance can often be best achieved when in silence. That quiet light which shines in every heart will illuminate your mind to see beauty, the possibility to love life and everything around you, and allow you to become a much loved, better and productive person.

It is difficult for me to really instil how easy it is to achieve this space and peace, and how wonderful the change you can experience in your daily living and working is from this daily practise.

The farm

Which brings me nicely to our last months’ work on the farm. It is the time of year where we try and forward plan for the rest of the year.

We all must plan to a certain degree. So we were fencing off the paddocks for the wild boar with new ground. This system of fencing is different to sheep fencing. Firstly, we must dig about half a metre underground then use a 2m high tensile wire. Then, we put half a metre underground and one and a half over-ground, electrify the top and bottom, put in water and feed troughs, and away we go.

The joys of farming wild animals! It’s great training for patience and mindfulness

This wasn’t so simple when the last few frosts came – the water troughs froze solid and the boar kicked off when they couldn’t get water. They proceeded to remove the nozzles and all the piping and, later on in the day when the water came back on, the entire area flooded.

The joys of farming wild animals! It’s great training for patience and mindfulness.

New life

Later on, all was forgiven when I went inside to one of the loose farrowing houses and saw a young mother had given birth to five beautiful babies.

This was young Lulu’s first time giving birth and she is a great mother.

Farming will give you something every day to challenge you, but it will also give you many reasons to smile – and smile in rhythm with Mother Nature. We farmers have proved over the years that we are a resilient and resourceful group of people; managing as custodians of the land for the short while we have it. During this time, we have a duty to manage it honestly and treat it with respect. And we know by doing this, it will respond by producing nutritious food in abundance.

We eat from the soil of the Earth, and the Earth has to be able to trust the warm intentions of the farmer’s mind and hands

Healthy food for a healthy nation of people. We eat from the soil of the Earth, and the Earth has to be able to trust the warm intentions of the farmer’s mind and hands as he softens, nourishes and moulds it. These were some of the things going through The Mindful Farmer’s mind and hands during the past while. I would love to see you all and pray for a swift end to this pandemic.

Bless everyone you can – as we all have the power to bless – and, finally, I offer power healing to all who need it. Don’t forget to wear your great, great smile.