I have come a long way from where they are known as vitreon crystals, from the Latin root word of vitron, meaning glass.

Silicon dioxide crystals are known as quartz here.

Thus one problem is solved in making a new Shift Engine.

I see their piezoelectric properties have been well-known for over a hundred years.

Interesting how they are sliced thin to make transducers that produce a tiny physical movement when hit with a high voltage pulse of electricity.

Yet the field a large crystal produces when pulsed seems unexplored here. This field is at the heart of the Shift Engine.

While most of our travels through adjacent registers occur naturally at random, it is relatively easy to consciously guide our path through the multiverse.

This is seen most often in people who set themselves a goal to attain.

Directing your attention towards something you want leads you into those registers where, eventually, that goal can become your reality.

An opportunity arises, a mentor appears, good luck seems to happen… and you move a little closer to making your desire happen.

You cannot merely wish for success, you must do the things needed to get you there.  It will just become easier and easier the more you do.

This is a neutral process, though, neither good nor bad.   It is just as easy to unintentionally concentrate on things to your detriment.

How many times have you heard this comment about a poor fellow, “He seems to be on a downward spiral?”

Knowingly or not, this person is concentrating on ruin.

Things go wrong, luck goes bad, a job is lost, … and solace is only found in a bottle.

But… and this is important… at any time, at any moment, you can change the direction you are headed in.

You are surrounded by an infinite number of paths to choose… choices to make. You can decide, “that’s enough of that,” and turn your back on the path you’re on towards one more to your liking.

Sometimes, in literally wrenching your head and body around as you say those words, you can feel the change.

Now, it’s simply a matter of deciding what small thing you need to do first to get you started.  Continue doing more small things in the direction you want to go.

Then a door will open, an unexpected break will occur, a chance meeting will lead to better things.

Old friends may be lost, as they may still be on a different path, but new ones will be made.

Then the comment will be, “Wow, he really turned his life around,”  and it will be more true than they think.