Shift - A Game About Love, Fear and Life

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I almost went through the whole day not realizing it was Earth Day. As I came down from the mountains at Chataqua Park in Boulder, a normal Boulder-type Earth loving bearded guy stood near the road with a big sign reminding us and yelling Happy Earth Day. He chose to make it his purpose to remind us all to remember to celebrate the Earth today.

I don’t know that I really did anything special for the Earth today. I don’t think I drove less or unplugged more appliances. I’m not really sure that I ate local although I did have lunch at my friend’s house and that’s pretty close to home. Did I celebrate the Earth or show her any more love today? Not really.

However, what did the Earth do for me today. I think that’s the point. The Earth does for us. What do we do for her?

I am so incredibly fortunate to live in Boulder and to be able to be so close to nature. When I needed a break today, the Earth was there for me, no questions asked. I went on a two hour walk in National Geographic-picturesque surroundings. I soaked in the sun. I witnessed the insane abundance of tulips and daffodils running rampant. (As a native of the tropics who never experienced Spring or flowers that bloom other than orchids, I can’t tell you how amazed I am when the flowers come up each season. I’m like a child in disbelief. I know my friends are sick of me saying, “look they’re here again!”) I literally climbed a mountain and then descended into the glorious green valley of Chataqua park where dogs ran and frisbees flew. I walked through a postcard and the Earth held out her arms and abundance and said, enjoy!

The Earth is here for me, for all of us, all the time and I think she’s getting pretty tired of showing up for us when we don’t show up for her. I know that because of where I live I share the same glazed expression of gratitude that many Boulderites glean. However, I know that I’m certainly to blame for not supporting her as much as I can.

I was in Thailand in November and loved living so simply. I stayed in huts with one light and no flushing toilets. My footprint was so minimal when I ate what the fisherman caught and limited my water consumption to the few seconds I could handle the ice cold water in between soaping up.

Now I’m back living in America, driving my Honda. Yes, I get tons of miles and my husband runs biodiesal in his truck, yet I know I can make a shift in even that. My road bike is tuned and race ready and I’m psyched to ride it into town for work now that it’s nice. That’s a way to burn the calories I committed to this winter and support Mother Earth at the same time.

I commit to making sure that we will always continue to publish the game in the US on recycled fiberboard.

I commit to continuing to recycle all that I can, including my girlfriend’s clothes (a special thanks to Donna and Val specifically), and all of our leftovers unless of course they’re so old they look like they’re ready to don their own walking shoes and take themselves to the garbage.

And I commit to acknowledging the gorgeous surroundings I get to live in every day by celebrating them every time I see the majestic Flatirons, the scheduled splash of color and even (yep even after this winter I can still say it) a peaceful blanket of white. When I acknowlegde things and am in gratitude, it’s easier to create action for those things I’m grateful for because they’re first and foremost in my thoughts.

Hey Earth, Thank you for today.

April Shift Circles are posted at the Shift Circles page. Even more exciting is the announcement of our full day THINK IT, SHIFT IT AND MAKE YOUR MOVE!
The full day Shift and Make your Move Intensive is here! This is an opportunity to identify and release those thoughts that are holding you back from your full potential and apply the rules of the game to your daily life. You will learn the techniques and the tools to shift your thinking in 30 days or less. Join us for a full day workout of your mental muscles at The Shift and Make your Move Intensive on Saturday, May 19th 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM in Boulder, CO, beautiful location TBD. Cost is $150/person. You will leave this day of insight and play facilitated by Shift creators, Nicole Casanova and her team, with a new understanding of your power because you will own the experience that “one small shift in thought can shift your life.” Space is limited, so RSVP today at Circles@ShiftTheGame.com or call 303-666-0168.

“The Secret” is about the law of attraction. It says our thoughts create our reality. Shift shows us exactly what those thoughts are. We get to see what’s holding us back from our full potential and why we keep attracting the same situations. Shift shows us why we do what we do and allows us to see that one small shift in thought can shift our lives.

Shift Circles are gatherings of people ready to make a shift. Shift Circles are the place to work your mental muscles so that we can live from a place of love. The evening includes space for networking from the heart, game play and each month we’ll focus on a new muscle and do some dedicated exercise around it. We’ve already worked Gratitude and Trust, come see which muscle we’ll tone in March.

You’ve seen The Secret, now apply the lessons to your life with Shift. “The Secret?”
COME PLAY WITH US! Tuesday, March 13 at Tattered Cover, Highlands Ranch, 6-9 pm. Space is limited so we suggest reservations at CIRCLES@ShiftTheGame.com or call 303-666-0168.

Mark your calendars for up-coming Shift Circles:
Tuesday, March 20, 2007 at Tattered Cover, LoDo, 6-9 pm
TBA April, 2007 at Flatirons Borders Bookstore in Broomfield and Translations Gallery in Denver

If you cannot attend these events, please forward this newsletter to someone who can.

For a fun time, be sure to consider the next Shift Circle in February. Train the Trainer Certification is here! Sign up now for the limited space we have! We have been asked many times if we will offer workshops to assist others in the facilitation of playing and learning Shift at a deeper level. By divine right order, we are now in a position to offer Train the Trainer Certification. Follow the links for more information.

Bring a friend to the February Shift Circle and receive a special gift. Comments from January’s Shift Circle included “this was so much fun” and “I had no idea how my thoughts affected by children until now - I need this game.” Thank you to everyone who came and we hope to see you again in February.

There will be a FREE Shift Circle at the Tattered Cover, LoDo in Denver, CO on Monday, February 26, 2007 at 6:00 pm. Tattered Cover LoDo is located at 1628 16th Street at Wynkoop, near Denver Union Station. Creator, Nicole Casanova, will be facilitating game play and available to sign your games. Please join us for an evening of enlightenment, fun and friendships. The theme for this month’s Circle will be TRUST. Don’t just change your diet this year, change your life!

Nicole Casanova is a featured speaker at the upcoming World Wellness Weekend in Denver January 27 and 28, 2007. For more information go to World Wellness website. Find us in Booth 105. Please join us at the Denver Convention Center for a weekend of insight and education from Nicole and other speakers including T. Harv Eker, Jean Houston, and Mark Victor Hansen.

Shift will be playing at the San Jose World Wellness Weekend on November 3 - 5, 2007 with people like Deepak Chopra, T.Harv Eker and The Master Teacher of The Course in Miracles at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center, Exhibit Hall 3 located at 408 Alamaden Blvd in San Jose. Nicole will be giving a one hour Shift Workshop at 2 pm on Saturday, November 4th in Room M. Visit with Nicole, Joyce and Teri and play Shift in Booth #106 from 10 am to 6 pm on Saturday and Sunday. For more information log onto The World Wellness Weekend in San Jose.
See you there!

This is a quote from a participant at a recent Shift Workshop. Other comments included playing Shift in the workshop “taught me how to think and react to any subject”, “I learned my defense is The Critic - I will improve and be less judgmental” and “I came in today with fear and now with the game I have the ability to SHIFT into a happier place”. And this was not an easy crowd! This workshop was with staff from all levels at a public Pre-School - 12th grade special needs school. Staff concerns on their first day back from vacation ranged from time issues to communication to being able to express emotions when needed. Through exercises and playing the game, many SHIFTED to start their year in a better place that just the day before. Check out our Shift Workshop pages to learn more about what Shift can do for your organization. Teachers learned that a game really can change your life.