Wellington's birthday was last Friday (he turned 9), and mine is today (double the legal age!) ;-) 

I am taking this re-birth-day off to get grounded: went to Malibu to enjoy some solo writing time this morning, then hiked by the Hollywood sign with Welly, and one of my dearest friends. Don't you just love the restorative powers of quality quiet & meditative time in nature?

Here's my little gift to you:

Have you ever experienced a depth of spirituality and unconditional love with a pet? Would you like a simple way to deepen that even more? I was recently interviewed on the fascinating topic of "Pets in your Spiritual Practice" by Annika Martins, the host of "spirituality on YOUR terms".  It just so happens this interview is being released today. Click on the picture, and you will see it there!! Enjoy :) 

As a way to say Happy New Year to you, I thought to share with you the list of my favorite TEDtalks, here they are all for you:  
http://www.ted.com/profiles/1605105/talks

A year ago today, on January 3rd 2013, the recording of my live TEDxtalk was uploaded and published on the TED site - to date it's been seen almost 200.000 times. 

As I was sharing with an old friend recently, after my initial resistance in sharing my story on the TEDplatform, I started feeling extremely vulnerable knowing that the rest of the world knows... I so appreciated everyone who let me know my TEDxtalk touched them in some way..The encouragement and the many amazing stories I heard from people who could start on their healing journey allows me to fulfill this TEDxtalk intention: to support people in getting to experience even more freedom and health in their lives.

It caught me by surprise how unsafe/visible I felt whilst (and since) sharing this story with the world, how challenged I've been feeling in my sense of freedom, and how I noticed I started struggling again with my health right after I gave my TEDxtalk live...I started to feel unsafe feeling so visible, and it went on for some time ~ then finally found what could turn it around in the empowering direction, and succeeding in maintaining that focus. We never stop learning and growing...hmmm...

This TED brought the healing of that trauma to the 'you shall heal this now' level and boy it's been stretching me.. Thanks for letting me share and much love to you on your journey and expansion!

If you haven't seen it before, or if you'd like to share it with your loved ones, my TEDx talk is clickable here :)

In loving memory of my pal Marcus Howe, the talented filming director of my TED: you changed my life Marcus - what an angel...
Pina