Blogtober Day 5…

When I was in graduate school, I used to grow crystals. Well, I attempted to grow them, but the process proved to exhaust my patience. My research advisor was over the crystal growth laboratory. There were multiple areas of research I could choose from but all of them were based on various stages of crystal development, for the most part. For the first few months or so of this program I observed every stage from crystal growth to crystal characterization. Each stage takes time, focus, and patience.

Recently, I’ve met some new friends that have been such a blessing to be around. Observing them as reminded me of my experience growing crystals in graduate school. Materials for growing crystals will depend on the type of crystal you need. The crystals that were grown in the lab were not used as jewels or gems. These crystals were/are used in medical equipment, space exploration, and radiation detection, just to name a few. However, I want to discuss a little of the process.

Often in life we see the end result of something, but we don’t know the process it went through to become what we see. When beginning the crystal growth process, we have to be sue we have the right amounts of each element. Once we have the measurements right there is a process of layering them together to so when the crystal forms the concentrations are accurate or as close to accurate as possible. The crystal must be able to withstand heat, pressure, and time. This also goes for the structure that all the crystal materials are placed in. Part of my impatience was the how hot the laboratory got when a crystal was in the “oven.” The growing process can take months. Once the crystal is grown it must go through a characterization phase. It’s examined to find the best areas of use. In this phase we look at the concentrations of elements within the crystal to determine the geometry and the best way to cut the crystal up. The part that I’d like to elaborate on in this post is the prepping phase.

Once we have cut the crystal into wafers they need to “prepped” if these were gems or jewels this would be the phase where they are made to shine. When I observed this the process it was very interesting. The researcher in this lab had to keep all the information about this crystal in mind. The geometry of the crystal, the concentration of elements, what shape is being requested and how much of this crystal wafer can be removed. My friends reminded me of this process as I observed their interactions. When I first encountered them (I say encountered because I didn’t know them yet), I thought one of them was a bit abrasive. As I’ve gotten to know them, I think of this person like sandpaper. Sandpaper can be abrasive. It’s rough to the touch but its purpose is to smooth out blemishes.

During the phase of the crystal being prepped it must be rubbed vigorously against a special pad. This pad is like sandpaper, it buffs out the blemishes and shapes the crystal properly. This process wasn’t made to feel good because it was made to perfect the crystal. There are or should be people in our lives that love of so much they want to make sure the blemishes are buffed away. In my observations and conversations with my new friends I am amazed at their honesty with each other. The truth comes out and it doesn’t always sound nice. It wasn’t always wrapped in a pretty bow. But there is a beauty to it because each of them knows a polishing of character is taking place.

Please note there is a difference between truth hurting and toxic lies portrayed as truth. Truth may sting for a moment but it resonates with your spirit. Toxic words only seek to hurt and bring pain. In the process of becoming the person we want to be we must remember that iron sharpens iron. Sandpaper buffs out blemishes and the coarse pad used in the lab purified the crystal for use.

You are a crystal. You are the concentrations of your ancestors and you have a purpose on this earth. Life and those that genuinely love you are meant to be the pad that helps to purify you for your purpose. Who is around you? Are they helping you to grow and shine? Sometimes we need to leave the place of familiar, step out of our comfort zone, and into an unfamiliar place to be processed into our purpose. I see the crystal in you and I can’t wait to see what you were created to do.

Love ya

-Juls