Shift – A Game About Love, Fear and Life

Shift Workshops
• “Great learning experience in our workplace.” …Aisha Gallegos
• “It was a fun way to think about how I look at things.” …Allison Astle
• “Where can I get the game so I can apply to my children” …Charlotte Toland
• “What I liked best was the honesty with coworkers and improving communication with them” …Sherry Smith
• “I learned about others in my group and saw their barriers come down.” Jenny Jordan

The Shift 5 Day Train the Trainer Certification
• “I would recommend this training to anyone wanting to shift and become more aware of their Authentic Self.” Vickie Pokaluk
• “I gained a renewed sense of Self and a higher purpose of my mission.” Linda Layton
• “I am impressed with the Shift team and how they work together.” Jeannette C. Cartin
• “All my expectations were met… I thoroughly enjoyed and got so much out of the Shift Intensive training.” Shoshee Firmin

Shift Circles
• “This is so cool! To play with others where there is no judgment and I feel safe”
• “Watch out Bunko”
• “This is such a great way to put “The Secret” into practice”
• “Thank you Shift for helping me understand myself and other people better.”

What was best?

• …the dialogue it sparked about universal experience.Molly, 33
• Created a sense of community and togetherness…Michael, 47
• Watching friends open up in response to the questions.Noah, 36
• It makes me think about what keeps me in fear.”Norman, 49
• Opening up of conversation amongst various friends. I feel like we all opened up at our own comfort level…Emily, 30
• Conversations; laughing with friends, all in all having a good time with good people.Tait, 30
• Answering the challenge of having to pull up examples from your life…Orah
• The opportunity to deal with these questions.Liz, 82
• The conversation it sparks…Robin, 30

Would you play again?

• Absolutely!James, 35
• YES!! I love this type of discussion and would invite friends over often to play!”Emily, 30
• I’d consider it’s use in clinical setting. I’ve had play therapy experience and it can be useful. I’ll buy it for sure.”Donna, 32
• Yes, with a group of girls! …or wait, boys some other time!Carolyn, 31

Recent Testimonials!

JEP CENTER

First Judicial District Probation Department
JEP – Juvenile Education Program – Center
1200 Johnson Rd. Golden, CO 80401
Tel – (303) 278 – 8782 / Fax –(303)-215-1180
Richard Cartin

24 April, 2007

Jeannette and Shoshee,

I want to thank each of you for giving of your time and expertise to present the Shift game to my class. The results were rather amazing. My students are in the JEP program because they are expelled from the county high schools and are also on probation and court ordered to be in some educational setting. They are not the ideal student group and usually do not respond real well to strangers and new ideas. Their response to the Shift game and to your facilitating of the game was surprising and much more positive than I had expected.

Accepting responsibility for their behavior is not a strong point of my students and yet, while participating in the Shift game they were willing to accept their actions and speak about them in an open and honest way. They did not revert to their usual method of blaming others for their situation. I must add that your excellence in facilitating also helped them feel comfortable and accepted enough to speak as freely as they did. I do know that facilitating a group of teenage “at risk” students in something new and personally challenging to them is not the easiest task. Your facilitation skills with this group were outstanding.

What most impressed me was the discussions concerning the game and what the students learned that happened the next day in our group meeting. The game was the topic of discussion. Two major themes of the game (Thoughts create reality and Thoughts effect others) came up in the discussion often. Also a few of the students have become aware of the concept of how their perception of something becomes a reality and that changing that perception can create a different reality.

In summary, the effects of the game on my students amaze me. In classroom such as mine it can be an excellent tool to begin to introduce the ideas of how perception can be changed and how thoughts and behaviors affect others. The students have asked for you both to come back and facilitate another session. Believe me this is high praise and acceptance of Shift and of your skill and professionalism as facilitators.

Thank You for an interesting and educational presentation. I am looking forward to the next Shift Circle.

Richard Cartin
Teacher / JEP Program

• “One of the biggest obstacles to taking steps onto [one’s true path] is –of all things–fear of change and fear of the unknown. So, I took the game and shared it with [students] as a possible tool to help folk see and work through some of their fears and defenses. The people there were fascinated… Thanks again for taking this leap and sharing your insights in such a delightful way with the world.”Kristy, Teacher for Spiritual Directors
• “When initially playing it, people were a little reluctant, and didn’t think much of the game. They weren’t quite expecting this kind of game. Shift is not your typical board game. But after switching our brains, we really got into it.A really tough defense for [one player] to drop was “The Over-Achiever”. But [her boyfriend] helped her through it, and we all got to joke and laugh about it later. After playing Shift once, I can’t wait to play it again with different people and get different experiences. Shift is a game that you can play with someone you’ve known your whole life, and still be able to learn something new about them.”

  Lauren, College Student

• “A friend has the game. I love it. Today’s message really touched a chord in me. I was wondering if your company is hiring? Do you have customer reps who work the phone lines? I love what you are doing. … Thank you for creating this great new game to assist people in building awareness.” Nicole
• “PlayFair sold out of the Shift games. Though they aren’t sure if it was the employees or the customers…seem to love it.” Bethany, http://uniquethink.com
• “Thanks for the great game. I look forward to purchasing it for my sister and her kids. I think it’d be a great way to show the choices in our lives at all times (which I’m sure was one of the original reasons for making the game). I know it will be a HUGE success!” Deb, Accountant
• “I have been playing The Shift Game at my Mastermind Group which includes twelve people…and we are hooked! I love the game! I love how it really opens the heart and shifts consciousness!” Teri

As the mother of four very busy children, my life-year would start in August with new beginnings and a well rested summer of fun.  As a stay-at-home-and-always-working Mom, I could plan on losing 10-15 pounds each fall as I kept up with activities, volunteer committments and the usual up keep of a large household.  In the last two years that all changed.

On 9/11 in 2001 we were all devastated by the attack of the World Trade Center.  I was working at a job I loved in the Career Center of my children’s high school in Boise, Idaho.  We had lived in Boise over 17 years, our two youngest children were born there, we all grew up there enjoying the "good life".  I could be a mother to not only my own children, but all their friends and over 2,000 other high school students.  We were the Kool-aid house.  Our friends were all around us.  We would live out our days in beautiful Idaho.

We got through that day, the swim meet and band practice that evening to go home and watch television while letting the emotions wash over us.  We were truly blessed.  Two years later, to the day, I started a new job, in a new city with no close friends or family nearby.  My husband, Dennis, had been released from a job of 20+ years in an industry where he was highly respected and loved.  He quickly found a new job, we sold our beloved home, left great friends behind and started fresh with our youngest two children – twins who were juniors in high school – to Boulder, Colorado.  Our oldest two were away in college.

Initially, a person just exists; get through the day feeling totally out of place.  Smile; make new friends where you have no history.  Nobody knows your name.  We were the "new people" continually lost while trying to find Target.  On 9/11 in 2003 I started working 40 hours a week for the first time since our first child was born.  I stopped exercising, no time for self-reflection, less time for family activities.  But, Boulder has a way of changing a person.  Through my employment, I create bonds with some of the most incredible women that I have ever crossed paths with - Nicole Casanova and Kristen Werning.

Fast forward to another beginning, August 2004.  My closest girlfriend is fighting cancer.  Our youngest children are starting their senior year in high school.  We are working hard to get them into the colleges of their dreams.  Dennis and I will be "empty nesters".   I have advanced in my job, but I am lacking the passion due to situations beyond my control.  Dennis’ step-father succumbs to lung ailments in October, leaving his mother alone in another state.  Our oldest son will be graduating from college with his Master’s Degree in a technology field – will he have a job?  My father, the patriarch, is having serious health problems and is diagnosed as terminal in April.  Our middle son is struggling and wants to transfer closer to home.  I drive to Boise one more time to help him move home and I re-live the separation from Boise.  We are working on our home in anticipation that relatives will come for our dual high school graduation celebration.  We plan our vacation to our oldest son’s graduation in California and a side trip to Yosemite.  With three to be in college, I worry about money.  All our appliances seem to be breaking.

We drive to Kansas over Memorial Day to bury Dennis’ step-father’s ashes.  I can see peace for the first time in months in a windswept cemetary on a Kansas prairie down five miles of dirt road from the nearest hamlet.  I see peace again in the waves off the California coast, I see peace in Yosemite Valley and I see peace in my father’s dying eyes.  I start to question my purpose, what drives me, my passions, where is my peace?  I pulled out my books, The Four Agreements, The Purpose Driven Life and anything written by Marianne Williamson. 

I needed to shift.  As I cared for my father under the guidance of Hospice, I received very clear answers to questions I had been turning over in my mind.  I am not a religious, church affiliated person, but I never felt closer to Spirit in my life.  Prior to the last extended visit to my father before he passed, I gave two week notice at my job and asked The Universe where she needed me.  Answers came quickly, including improving my personal time management and health, spend more time with family and friends, work with people who inspire me, be able to see purpose in my work, be passionate, enjoy what I do and, most of all, have faith.  This was my dream.  With the moral support of my family, who built my home office while I spent a week with my newly widowed mother, I have been given the gift to share my talents with Shift the Game.  I started formally working with Nicole and Kristen in August.  My life-year begins again. Somethings don’t change.

At some time in our lives, we all need to evaluate.  Being a participant in the creation of Shift the Game, I have been able to determine where I would find my dreams and I have been given the opportunity to help others do the same.  Dare to shift your life – you may be surprised by the outcome.

I had an eye opener a few days ago. I came to this crossroads regarding what I should make public and what I shouldn’t. I believe that my sharing what is going on in my life will make it easier for people to get the concepts in the game because they can relate it to an actual experience. However, I was positive that I had to tell all so that people would see that I have down days too and that to stay in a state of love, I play the game in some way every day. I thought my truth would make it easier for other people to come to their own understanding.

I always thought that speaking my truth was an absolute must for me. I’d die if ever I were told not to say exactly what was on my mind.  Now I’m realizing that I need not say it all.

There is a reason why I’m so vocal and I’m realizing that this is an area that I want to do some growing around. I was raised in a family that didn’t really allow for personal boundaries. Your business was everyone else’s. And, that was fine. I believe that is one of the reasons why I’m honest to a fault.  I always had to tell the truth and man, did it come back to bite me when I was growing up.  My sister learned to disclose things accordingly after seeing the aftermath of what my honesty often led to.

Anyway, I’ve decided that at this point in my life, I do want to establish some boundaries. I’ve decided that I can still share what’s going on in my life and leave certain relationships out of my discussion. 

I have decided that I want my family life and my love life to be sacred.

So, going forward, their names and our experiences will most likely be left out.  Just something I got clear on this week and am happy that I’m creating places in my life that are mine, only mine. It feels good.

The Principle of Discernment

My judgments are just my point of view, not the Truth.  The reality of my experience lives within the Truth, not the illusions of my negative thoughts and emotional reactions.  Only when I detach from the reality of illusion can I discern the Truth from the illusions of my judgments and perceptions.  Since the past is gone and the future does not yet exist, my present thoughts and beliefs are essentially my beliefs for all time.  From this position of acute awareness I can see the false perceptions, distorted memories and harmful beliefs that I must heal.  Letting go of these lower thought forms and judgments, reveals the Truth and can create an ideal life for me.  It is only when I am willing to take total responsibility for my present reality and see it as it is, without blame, that I am free to open myself up to the incredible opportunity of observing what I have, and then envisioning what I choose to create.
 

A friend shared this with me a few days ago.  There is a difference between coming from fear and being discerning.  I see I’m living from love in choosing my privacy.  I see that I can say all that I want and still keep some things just for me.

Eight Step Process

EXPECTATIONS

* My expectations have been set high.  I expect long days, tense moments, and trying times.  I also expect laughter, support, and ultimately, success.

* WANTS

o I want a conscious effort at creativity from everyone – an effort to not do things just like everybody else.  To make this OUR own.

o Fun.  When possible.  Remember to play.  Be goofy.  Be comfortable. 

o I want the world to see shift as we do.

o I want us to have such a wonderful company that everyone wants to work for us because they see that work doesn’t have to be a negative thing.

 o I want us all to reach our full potential and to find things that others do well an encourage us to continue in those areas within shift.

* NEEDS (I think I have more needs than wants, is that bad?)

 o I need understanding, or an effort toward just that.  I need to be open and safe and I really would like to be loved.

 o I need honesty.  Even if it hurts, it hurts more when we aren’t honest.  Make an open door policy and communication will flow both ways.

o An effort to be positive and build each other up. Sometimes simple reminders do good things without us even realizing.

o Notice ahead of time if schedules are changing.  It lets us all plan accordingly and things then tend to go smoother and happier.

o Balance.

* FEARS  (hmm, did I roll doubt?)

* I have a secret fear that my giant leap of faith will be just that – and though failure is not an option – that others will not see shift as we do.

* Umm, that we get sick of each other?  ( I don’t really see that being an issue?!)

* I’m afraid I’ll get sick of the commute?

* I have a fear that my job will become my life and I won’t seek to live a full, well-rounded life outside of shift.

PURPOSE

* My purpose, as I see it as the creative director for shift, is just that, to direct us in creativity.  I see that not only being aesthetically, but also in our language.  I believe in creativity as a way of life – and standing out not to be different, but standing out not to be the same.  I see my purpose coming through strongest in the area of art.  Coming up with needed images, layouts, and really, anything that will be printed I suppose.  But I see my purpose in helping with universal language and a different type of "self-help" – not the traditional at least.  But really, I see my purpose being wherever I am needed.  Creativity reaches into every area of shift.  (and as the ultimate sparkplug – I hope to create a spark within those around me!)

GOALS

* To help shift reach our sales goals by set times.

* To help shift reach a wide array of people – and to continue to think of new groups who could use the message of the game.  (To have reached five large groups by Valentines Day, and hopefully tap into a new one every two months.)

* To do the best possible job I can – balance life.  (daily – by keeping my priorities straight – I must put my own needs first)

* To see personal growth in my design skills, writing skills, sales strategy and as a person overall. (check in every 6 months and acknowledge my growth!)

* To bring the best out in everyone around me – help everyone reach their potential. (daily!)

OPERATION INSTRUCTIONS

* I need food – if I start getting cranky, put some food in my mouth, and if water doesn’t help, try some caffeine. 

* I need at least one good laugh every two hours.

* I need celebration at little victories.

* I need to see change in order to keep moving forward.

COMMITMENT

* I, Kristen Werning, commit to myself, my purpose, and to shift.

Well, I seem to have taken a blog vacation.

I get the feeling that Peter Jennings never had anxiety attacks. It seems he was just consumed with the pursuit of truth and would work 26 hrs a day if he could to share the world’s stories with others.

I want to be Peter Jennings today. I’m getting fed up with letting my mind control my breathing, my moods, and my days.  Feeling overwhelmed is just a matter of choice, right? 

Kinda scary these days.  I’m wondering where to allocate my time first.  Getting ready to go to print? revising the business plan and seeking investments? starting to sell?

This morning, I decided it’d cost nothing to just write positive visions all over. It’s interesting that when I write things, they usually happen. SO- Shift will recieve an anonymous donation by the end of the month. Words are powerful. You never know. . .

All this is is just another opportunity to check in and see if I’m creating a life of balance and if I’m putting myself first.  I WILL CREATE SPACE. If we have to, I will take another week or two to perfect the content and get everything in order.

Think I’ll wrap up this tirade with some acknowledgments for what we are doing right.  This week was our first week to implement YOGA mornings. Joyce and Kristen came over a bit early on Monday and Wednesday and we read our lessons from the Course and I led us in some Iyengar, Ashtanga and Pilates.  We finished in corpse pose, shavasana.  I find that last position, where I’m just laying sprawled on my back, feeling the earth support me, is when I get a little teary eyed.  I find myself going through what I’m grateful for.  Did you hear that? Here I was laying down on the floor with my coworkers with our eyes closed- first thing on a Monday morning!  It was fantastic. 

There is enough time.  There is enough space. I think that my purpose in creating Shift was to create a model for us to live in every area of our lives. Since the game asks how are we showing up in our relationships, in our work and with ourselves, it only makes sense that as providers of this message, we ask ourselves the same questions and do our best to answer them by staying on purpose, remembering what is real and seeking only that which supports us.

The game has its own momentum now and yes, we are all being carried along.   Yet, it’s up to each of us to choose those things that ground us, our family, our partners, dance, art, meditation, laughing, yoga, or even our little doggies and make time for them.  We have all been mandated to put ourselves first. Think I’m going home now to make changes to the content while I lay outside in the yard and soak up some sun. 

That’s what my body wants today and I’m putting me first.

When Joyce started working with us, I thought it was time for us to all do an 8 step process so we could get clear on what each of was expecting from this relationship. The 8 step process assists in getting clarity around the purpose for a relationship and how the people in it need to operate to make their vision happen.  Here’s what I wrote for mine:

8 Step- GAME 8/9/05

Expectations
– That this be my saving grace, the thing that supports me financially for my life.
– That I contribute to society.
– That I can create enough space to live a life of balance.
– That we strategically get the game to produce revenue in a way that allows me to fund the company on my own or receive funding for a minimal amt of equity.  
– That I seek and request support and take notice of opportunities.
– That my essence is transferred into a magnificent, beautiful product that speaks to my soul, radiates energy, and is available in stores by Nov. 1, 2005.
– That I positively empower those that I hire to bring all that they can to the project.

Wants (become goals)
– I want to be able to live comfortably- cover my expenses while working on the business.  
– Feel passionate about what I learn, like who I’m working with, and help others. Have fun, learn, make $, flexible for the game and support my soul.
– To have some flexibility, work 1 or 2 days a week on my own so I can spend time thinking, and being creative. Be able to take a 3 or 4 day weekend if needed and eventually be able to leave for 2 or 3 weeks to visit Australia etc. and have the business continue to run smoothly.
– To keep a balanced life where I am spiritually, physically and financially fit.
– To make time for fun- dancing, concerts being outside!
– To create a supportive environment where I can work with others to expedite the completion of the game and the products to come.
– Structure. A defined schedule of deliverables and a way to be held accountable.

Needs (become op inst.)
– Need to feel financially secure by being able to pay salaries and have enough working capital to easily commit to expenditures that grow the business.
– Need to constantly reaffirm my truth so that I can co create from a loving place.
– To feel like I’m accomplishing something.
– To feel like I’m connected to others.
– To take time to be alone with just me and my thoughts- ideally walking.

Fears
– That I will never complete the game and that I will be perceived as a failure.
– That someone else will get a similar product to market first.
– That I will run out of money.
– That no one will buy it- I actually don’t really believe this.
– That people figure out that I’m just making it up and don’t know anything.
– That people say they like it just to make me feel good.

Purpose
To give as many people as possible the knowledge that they are at choice so that they can remember their truth and make their decisions from love.

Goals- these are for 2005
– Send the game to print with an initial run by August 25th, 2005.
– Sell the first 2000 through a smart distribution mix in time to make changes, find mistakes, and have the next run ready for our New Year’s push.  
– To create a workable schedule for Joyce, Kristen and myself. Meet 2 days a week, Mon. wed, yoga and CIM lesson.
– (the rest of this was a laundry list of day to day stuff that might not be as interesting)

Operating Instructions
* Maintain game budget and keep an account of all accounts payable.
* Make time for my relationship by blocking off dates with my man. One night a week and one weekend day per weekend as us time.
* Have employees be flexible, yet accountable- pay them based on what and when.
* Qualify all time commitments and say no to those that do not support my getting the game to market in some form.
* Read course every morning.
* Take a bath once a week. Pamper myself, read etc. twice a week. Go dancing twice a month. Make nikki time.
* Make small, measurable goals so that I feel accomplished and acknowledge those accomplishments.
* Create time to clearly define weekly goals on Fridays and send them out before Monday meetings.   
* Step back and just Be.
* Acknowledge successes as they come.
* Create the game in its highest form. Let spirit speak.
* LOVE MYSELF FIRST
* Create space for joy and fun.

Commitment
     I, Nicole Casanova, am committed to working this plan so that I may experience a life of balance and see my vision become a reality.  NC 8/9/05

Shift is a psychological game, in the sense that we, through self-examination and laughter, can begin to understand where our thoughts are coming from and the power they hold.  In fact, we have no neutral thoughts.  All of our thoughts come from love or fear and once we are able to recognize where our thoughts come from, we can further understand where our thoughts are taking us.

The point of the game is to move from fear to love, and drop three defenses along the way.  Our defenses hold us back from reaching our full potential.  Though sometimes we may be “the procrastinator,” that is not who we are as a person. Our defenses are not our identity.  In order to drop our defenses, we must be able to recognize when we have acted as those defenses, but also, when we have not. This, in turn, can show us why we use those defenses, and why we don’t need to at all. Once a player makes it to love, they must answer the question, “What current situation in your life could a shift in thought affect the most?” to win. 

The reason we created this game is simple. We want to remind you that you can control your thoughts once you are aware of what you are thinking.  What you believe is exactly what you will experience. If after playing this game, you start seeing where your thoughts are coming from, then we all win. And, if you can actually change those thoughts that hold you back, can you imagine what we will be able to shift?  

Shift is a board game for 2-6 players.
It is about Love, Fear, Work, Relationships

and Human Behavior and it might just change your life.

Have you ever wondered why some see a sunset and immediately become grateful while others see a sunset and immediately think, "Man, where did the day go?"

Or why some people can spill a glass of wine and think that will make a great story, while others will see it as having the same catastrophic impact as the sinking of The Titanic, and then conclude it was the vineyards fault for making the wine? Then, get these answers and more… Shift is a personality x-ray machine that enables you to see what’s driving your friends and most importantly, what’s driving you.

All it takes is a shift in thought to shift your life…

Play Shift and Make your Move.