Eighteen years ago today, on April 5, 2007, my friend David Wilson sent me a life-changing gift: Shunyam Nirav’s e-book, Switchwords - Easily Give to You Whatever You Want in Life. Back then, it was a hidden gem—available only digitally, with a teaser section to entice readers before unlocking the full text. I was captivated by "REACH," a Switchword that mirrored my Lost, Forgotten, Need to Remember & How to Find file—one of 116 linked to my Emotional Freedom vial, a tool for emotional healing that amplifies affirmations and Switchwords (learn more at blueiris.org). I bought the book, and that moment ignited my journey.

What began as a personal discovery soon became a mission. Joining Nirav’s small Yahoo group, I dove in—sharing insights, exploring new Switchwords beyond the original 100, and growing the community from hundreds to thousands. After Nirav’s passing in 2008, I took the helm, later moving to Facebook where I revived a quiet Switchwords group. In April 2010, I founded the Blue Iris Learning Center, and when that group was archived in 2011, I launched the Switchwords Main Group. At Blue Iris, we’ve expanded the Switchwords list to 462, introduced tools like Defusing Words and Energy Circles, and taught WhatsApp workshops for several years. Today, our Switchwords Main Group boasts nearly 119,000 members, and most Switchwords references worldwide trace back to us. Over 18 years, this quiet secret has blossomed into a global phenomenon, touching millions and leaving a trail of small miracles.