A NOTE FROM CHRISTINA:

I'm technically on vacation (even though I'm holed up in the lovely Palm Desert Public Library writing this Zine until I can check into my latest hotel on my road trip).
I just spent a week in the California Desert of the Mojave Preserve ... right near the spectacular Joshua Tree National Park. It's the middle of August, so it is HOT, HOT, HOT (although the locals say its actually a cool year). Kinda makes me think of the old adage about mad dogs and Englishmen, but in this case it's a Canadian woman!
I'm in the desert for lots of reasons ... needed a vacation, wanted to get away, love road trips, feeling a little Jack Kerouac, etc. But primarily I'm here because of a conference called 'Contact in the Desert' that I wanted to attend. And, I did for the last 4 days, more on that in the article that follows ... it was TRULY WONDERFUL.

While attending the conference I stayed 20 miles down the highway in Twenty Nine Palms at The Harmony Motel. Three things attracted me to this hotel. First, the name (figured Harmony was right up my alley). Secondly, I read the bio about the owner, Ash Maharaj, who was once a change management consultant in South Africa but 10 years ago dramatically changed her life by buying this gem in the desert (if that isn't a SHIFT-IT story I don't know what is!).
And third, U2, my favorite band from my 'formative years' stayed here and took a ton of photos for their Joshua Tree album back in the 80s. OMG!!! (that was my Inner Teenager having a freak out, hehe).
I've got a few more days until I return home. This weekend I'll be working with Sarah Moyle on the Whiteboard Video project (a little ditty to help me quickly explain who I am and what the breadth of my work is). Then it's back to JJ and hopefully some good Victoria, British Columbia weather (took a risk leaving home when we are in our own best weather season).
Yours in SHIFTing IT,
Christina Merkley,
The SHIFT-IT Coach
and Interactive-Visuals Mentor
IN YOUR WORDS:
DELIGHTED I SAID YES AND HIGHLY RECOMMEND

Michele Grace Lessirard
Spiritual Counselor /
Biz Coach
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"Delighted I said "Yes!" to Fundamentals Interactive-Visuals. It exceeded my expectations. This online course was a whole lot of fun and nicely paced with the workbook and videos. My favorite bedtime reading for a quite a few nights plus my magic marker collection is getting a workout.
Christina's masterful teaching made it a comfortable deep dive into the he(art) of working visually with groups and individuals. Now I'm confidently integrating the skills she taught into my practice including creating my own visual templates. Clients love their maps and light up in their visual sessions. Highly recommend!"
Rev. Michele Grace Lessirard
Vero Beach, Florida, U.S.A.
www.MarketingForHealers.com
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FEATURED ARTICLE:
WHY I ATTENDED CONTACT IN THE DESERT
To Listen Or Download Mp3 Version of This Article, Click Here
Contact in the Desert is a conference dedicated to the wide-ranging fields connected to what is popularly known as UFOs. It was held (for the 2nd time) in Joshua Tree, California, U.S.A on August 8-11, 2014. And I attended, along with 2000 others from around the world. Why? Well, for a lot of reasons ... not the least being the"UAP" I experienced a few years ago (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) ... which I'll share about later in this article.

Joshua Retreat Center:
The conference was held at the sprawling 400-acre Joshua Tree Retreat Center designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. I heard from folks who stayed onsite that Lloyd Wright's work looks cool, but unfortunately doesn't feel that way (turns out he wasn't great with temperature). While it was a trek down the highway I'm really glad I stayed at the super funky Harmony Motel (see my "Note from Christina" post about the connection to U2).
The temperatures were HOT (a treat for this Canadian) so I got some sun making my way from one speaker venue to another … thankfully most were housed indoors with the exception of some early morning and later evening events held in the sandy outdoor amphitheatre.
The crowd was very diverse, ranging from military, veterans, scientists, journalists, entertainment industry, contactees and many others with... |
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Erich Von Daniken, Opening Kick-Off
Photo: Bill Leyden (CITD FB page) |
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©2014 Christina L. Merkley
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Author's Bio:Christina Merkley, "The SHIFT-IT Coach" is a Visioning and Strategic Planning Expert specializing in Visual Thinking and Emotional Alignment techniques. Based in charming Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, she works deeply with individuals, partners and conscious businesses to define and manifest what they truly want. And, trains other Process Professionals in her innovative ways of working. For more information visit: www.shift-it-coach.com and www.visualcoaches.com
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ABOUT SHIFT-IT COACH, INC.
Christina Merkley
The SHIFT-IT Coach &
Interactive-Visuals Mentor |
SHIFT-IT Coach, Inc. is a boutique training and coaching company specializing in visual process work for groups and individuals. Founded by Christina Merkley, pioneering Visual Facilitator and Coach, we work deeply with individuals, partners and conscious businesses to define and manifest what you really want. We also train Process Professionals from across the globe in our innovative ways of working. For more information visit www.shift-it-coach.com and www.visualcoaches.com. |
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IN THIS ISSUE:
>>A Note From Christina
>>In Your Words
>>Events Calendar
>>Featured Article:
Why I Attended Contact in the Desert
>>Connect with Us
>>Blog Entries
>>E-Zine & Audio Archives
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BodyTalk: An Intriguing Resistance Buster
More Spirit Animals: Otter Family and Heron
7 Tips to Build Your 50-300k Biz
She's Learning Important Contract Negotiation for Graphic Recording
What Abraham-Hicks Told Me on the Hot Seat
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