Shift - A Game About Love, Fear and Life

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.

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?  

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.

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.

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 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

I haven’t written in weeks. It feels like years. There’s been so much going on. We had days when we were crying (literally- at one point Kristen asked me what I’d do if she said she was quitting and I’m sure she was surprised when I said I’d punch her in the face- how’s that for coming from love?) and we had days to rejoice. And all along Hurricane Katrina’s devastation continued to grow in maginitude and in our psyches. For a long time I felt guilty that my mind was on trivial things like color management when so many had to think about how they would live their lives the next day. But this is about my experience. It is all I can speak of. We were a month behind in getting our files to the printers because we were waiting on our Chinese manufacturers to get back to us with basic things like their address, the format the files needed to be in, their final quote and contract. Frustration couldn’t describe our angst. We were on hold and on pins and needles.

And then I remembered we were still in control. We had no contract and no obligation. At that point, between the time to print and to ship overseas, we had basically missed the Christmas season. In a best case scenario we might get product back the last week of December. We spent weeks learning about the import business, its documents, customs agents, shippers, freight carriers, warehousing, and its numerous charges and fees. Until then, manufacturing in China had been a no-brainer. We were able to produce twice as many units at half the cost. Although I felt something was out of alignment, I told myself that at the end of the day, coming from love still meant having a viable business. I have a history of not seeing my situation until it’s so obvious that everyone and everything is basically telling me I’m crazy to continue forward with it. This was one of those situations. I admit it. I’m stubborn. One by one things went wrong. They fell apart in a big way making the idea of risking the last of my finances on a company that couldn’t even reply to my emails seem like the very, very obvious wrong decision.

So, in the busiest time of the year for the game industry, we went back to our domestic manufacturers to get revised quotes. We were willing to give up most of our margins just to get proof of concept and get something out there in time for New Years- our big PR push since that’s when people often are looking to make shifts and changes in their lives. Within a week everything fell into place. We found a printer in California who came in at a number that actually allowed us to make some money per unit and we put orders in for our plastic parts and custom dies. Not only could we now say that we were "Made in America," we could also say we were using 100% recycled board product. We had our files converted, we signed our contracts, created our proofs and prototypes and. . .sent everything off. Whew! I’m always aware of what I base my happiness on. Although I try my hardest to base my happiness on what’s internal, more often than not, I am affected by the external. My whole being changed in the last week. And, I have to admit, that actually completing this process and getting our stuff out has made me so much lighter… so much happier. I know that no doubt, we will have many more valleys ahead of us where things will falter and we’ll be counting the consecutive nights we’ve spent working until midnight (actually- I really hope those are few and far between:)).

I know it’s all about my response to things and that we should live without judgment. There is no bad and good. Things happen. How do we respond? As the saying goes, "I’m just a spirit having human experiences." At this point in my evolution, I still have judgments. Black and red are my favorite colors. I prefer fresh crepes to pre-made ones. Hmmm…my love for the mountains and the ocean are pretty equal. But I absolutely love dancing in nightclubs to hip hop, reggae, salsa or anything where they seriously drop the bass. After all, I’m a Miami girl and you can never take the Miami out of the girl,verdad? I admit, happiness and joy are preferable to frustration and sadness. I choose ease and grace and experiencing those things sometimes requires a little more effort on my part. Lately I see myself as the palm tree in the hurricane. I am standing tall and withstaining the turbulant winds. There’s plenty of madness and insanity whipping by and my mind can easily fall prey to something speeding past. But I’m digging in. I’m setting my roots down, stabilizing my core and growing tall. There’s no way to exist without encountering those valleys or weathering those storms. It’s how we move through them that counts. Do we turn back? Do we get stuck and make our bed in the valley’s shadow or gain comfort in the calm of the storm’s eye in denial that its winds will wail once again? Or, do we push on through and climb one step higher, one step further until we’re on higher ground and the view looks amazingly different from our new perspective?

Have patience with everything unresolved in your heart

and try to love the questions themselves as if they were locked rooms

or books written in a very foreign language.

Don’t search for the answers,

which could not be given to you now,

because you would not be able to live them.

And the point is, to live everything.

Live the questions now.

Perhaps then, someday far in the future,

you will gradually, without even noticing it,

live your way into the answer.

rainer maria rilke

Kristen read this to me the other night and it is very fitting for much of what’s going on in my life these days.  I’m making some big decisions in my personal life and I’m having to ask myself some difficult questions. Yet, when all questions have been asked, it really comes down to, “Am I willing to shift my belief?’  Until now, I can certainly say that I was far from willing. 

I have a relationship that I have set up as special instead of equal and I’m now realizing that it’s because of how I approach the relationship. I have expectations that always lead to disappointments and even though I’ve got the phrase, “Expectations are premeditated resentments” down, I’ve yet to really own it. I want so badly for it to be different that I make excuses and deny that no matter what I try, the outcome is always the same.  I have a belief that is so entrenched I’ve been mourning the loss of it.

It’s up to me to approach this differently. It’s up to me to respond differently. It’s up to me to see this person differently- in their wholeness.  I am choosing to have only healthy, loving, equal relationships.  To do that, it’s most likely that the form of this relationship will need to shift. And that’s my hook- my line and sinker. That’s where I let myself sink.

It’s down to survival now.

I must have patience with myself and with everything unresolved in my heart

and try to love the questions themselves. I am aware that the shift needs to take place in me.  Am I willing to shift my belief? Am I willing to let go and choose only that which supports me?

I’ve created a game that is a guide to living from love so as hard as it is, I am. I am willing. Playing the game in my life and choosing to make my decisions from love (especially self love) is the most difficult thing I’ve done to date and I’m really ready to have these lessons completed.

Yes I am willing. For now, I’m living my way into the answers and playing the game along the way…

We are all capable of making a Shift in our lives. We want to know about yours.
Tell us about a change you have made in any aspect of your life, big or small - with your relationship, job, family, or overall attitude.

You are not only an inspiration to us at Shift, you can become an inspiration to everyone who reads this.

Just hit enter your post in the “Leave a Reply” section below.

Last Friday we started our first sales calls. It’s been over 4 years since I’ve sold a product… or worn anything close to professional. I must admit I had my concerns about whether I had it in me anymore. In recent years I’ve gone to networking events where I’ve been more than happy to support a wall in the corner instead of working the room and collecting business cards like the old me.

Turns out I still got it. The truth is, selling is easy when you’ve got a compelling product. Since last Friday, we’ve been picked up in The Boulder Bookstore, Atmosphere in Boulder, Om Yoga, McGuckins and The Tattered Cover. Shift circles or game nights will take place at the Boulder Co-Op and The Unity Church in Boulder is incorporating Shift game nights into their weekly Course in Miracles study groups. I must say, having Unity implement a game night into the Course in Miracles study groups really got me. I almost shed some tears during my meeting. Oh and did I mention that last week we got a letter from Marianne Williamson giving us permission to incorporate some of her content and oh yeah, we met Deepak Chopra!! This is what the last 2 weeks have been like. We’re cookin! and we’re having fun. I’m amazed by the response we’ve had so far and am so thankful that people are receptive.

I’ve been working on this for four years and even though I just pawned off all my gold jewelry today for extra spending money and tried my hardest to make my clothes seem like great consignment pieces, it’s all been worth it. I am so thankful for the people that have shown up to support our project… I am plain ole grateful…. and I am super excited. We are just a few weeks away from getting our first run back. I can not wait to hold this game in my hands.

A year ago, the game was still an idea. When my chiropractor, Dr. Pete, would adjust me, I’d deal with my anxiety by visioning something great. Although my “adjustment visions” were often scenes on a far away beach, more often than not, the thing I visioned most was seeing the game. I remember when I would try to see the vision- I’d try my hardest to see the board or the box… little by little the vision became more clear. On the scary neck adjustments, I would vision the game on some store shelf. For so long, I had no idea what it would look like. Well, within the month, I will actually see that box sitting on a store shelf.

Amazing.

I’m jazzed…