One of the biggest revelations to hit me sitting in college physics classes was that Sir Isaac Newton's laws governing the natural world are not sacrosanct. They're actually approximations - very good ones, mind you - that have underpinned our understanding of the natural world for centuries. However, they break down under certain conditions such as velocities that approach the speed of light or in the presence of huge gravitational fields (think black holes).
Another interesting fact about Newtonian physics is that time is bidirectional. In the equation Force = Mass x Acceleration, the acceleration term is represented by length / time^2. The fact that time is squared (^2) indicates time can be going forward or backward (positive or negative value) and the answer would be the same. The motion of a projectile fired at a target could mathematically happen in reverse with the projectile ending up back in the barrel of the gun.
There's a bigger life lesson here. Based on Newtonian physics, there's no mathematical reason we couldn't rewind time and have the projectile move from the target to the gun. However, anyone with enough life experience under their belt knows this is a false presumption and inherently, the flow of time is irreversible. Parents are very keenly aware of this fact.
Many of my friends have kids either starting or returning to school this fall. All the "first day of school" pictures were tagged with the universal lament, "Where has the time gone?" Unfortunately, you can't turn back the clock, regardless of Sir Newton's math. A subset of this group of friends are those whose kids are graduating from high school or college and are now striking out on their own. In these cases, among the parents' most prominent concerns is, "My dear child, have I imparted enough of my life experiences to you in our time together that you may find your way in a world that may not know up from down, forward from back, or right from wrong?"
"Shine" was Collective Soul's debut single and became their anthem, topping out at #11 on Billboard's Hot 100. It continues to be synonymous with the band and has landed on nearly every compilation of 90's rock. The song went on to be covered by several artists including none other than the great Dolly Parton. Don't snicker. Her rendition garnered her a Grammy.
"Give me a word. Give me a sign. Show me where to look. Tell me what will I find."
The opening lyrics to "Shine" come across as a simple prayer for divine guidance. It's also represents the hope of mothers and fathers that their young adults will recognize answered prayers sometimes reveal themselves in seeking the wisdom and life experiences of parents and trusted mentors.
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