My guess is that you may have heard the question but likely don't know the name

Side note: this image says it is of a Greek Pentakonter. Except in Pentakonter the "Penta" refers to the number of oars which should be 50. I've looked at the image and counted...its not 50. However, I needed a quick image so up it went 🙂

What's the Story?

Well. It actually isn't a story its a Philosophical question but for the sake of this post I'm going to tell it like a story. My post, my rules, 😜

Imagine that a ship like the one pictured above starts on a journey. A very long journey. Over the years it is damaged from storms, things wear out, new crew come and go, even the captain changes a time or two. After decades at sea the ship returns to the main port.

However when the ship returns not one of the ships original crew remain and none of its original beams, sails or oars remains. Everything has been replaced.

The Philosophical Question

Is it truly the same ship returning?

Now with a personal twist

The Hive learners prompt this week: Something I've learned in childhood and carried with me through my life. I was going to pass on this because when I think back I couldn't think of a single thing that I've kept over my life. I was born in the 1960's so the world is such a different place and I'm such a different person.

How could anything stay the same after that many years?

This is a Google map streetview of the town I grew up near when I was young. It's called 70 Mile House. Near is a bit relative because I was actually 30 minutes from here by gravel road to my home. Of course 50 years ago it was only a 2 lane road but you get the idea. Not much there.

This is again a Google streetview of the home I grew up in. The home was upstairs, downstairs was a gas station, restaurant and store. Again, its more developed after 50 years but you get the idea. Middle of nowhere.

And in case you think I'm exaggerating about the 30 minutes out of town. The roads are paved now and its 23min (Google Navigation). It was slower on dirt roads 50 years ago.

From the age of 3yrs old I lived there. My mom would work hard cooking for the restaurant and running the small store and gas station. My father was busy doing...well...his mistress, so he wasn't around much. That left me free to wander around the woods, streams, lakes and so on.

No other children to play with. No neighbors. No aunts, no uncles, just nature and I. Also remember this was a time before computers, before cellphones, no Television (it existed but no signal in such a remote area), no stores to visit and even the school I went to in Lone Butte only had a dozen students between Kindergarten and Grade 8--with one teacher. Teaching was mostly get an assignment and do it on your own--no other children my age.

Why do I bother posting this?

Just to show that the world I grew up in is gone.
I can not think of one single thing from that time that remained with me to this day.

Just like the Ship of Theseus

Not a single piece of the original me remains

My youthful energy and agility have been replaced by weary joints
My youthful inquisitiveness of the world has been replaced by replaced by reverence for its grand design
My youthful ambition has been replaced by appreciation
My youthful cleverness has been replaced by Wisdom
_{If my wife reads this don't laugh too hard at the Wisdom bullet}

When the #HiveLearners team posts the prompt: What have I learned that I've kept to this day?

My original thought was...

..... I'll pass. Nothing remains the same. What could I possibly write?

But Maybe I Was Wrong

I originally thought there was nothing that remained of the old me. I might be wrong though. In body, mind, soul, and spirit I think a little something remains.

IN Body

I still love to walk places. Walk to the store. Walk around the park. Walk to explore new neighborhoods. So many people drive everywhere and forget to take the time to slow down and look a little closer at what's nearby.

Walking has helped me save money and learn more about what's nearby

IN Mind

When I was young it was pretty much just me. There was no support network of friends and I was left to figure out things on my own by family.
_{Side note: Didn't always make good decisions on my own. Example: Finding machete on side of road is cool, but bringing to school is bad idea in Grade 2}

The Independence I learned when I was young is a trait that has served me well through my life. On the flip side--growing up without people around has made me pretty bad at dealing with others. Oh well, give and take I suppose.

In Soul and Spirit

The ONLY thing that has been constant in my life since my earliest days is praying. I remember my Grandmother teaching me to pray when I was little. My mom reminds me of the time she thought I was kidnapped but I actually went on my own to church--age 6. The Bible may be seen as old fashioned, or out of style but it has been an unchangeable rock for all my life. It hasn't changed in thousands of years and isn't going to. Praying and belief in God has been the foundation of my life since my early years.

Stories and Memories remain

Philosophers have argued about the Ship of Theseus for ages. Is it the same or not? Looking at my life and looking at the ship. It is true that the parts change and things may not look the same as they did in years gone by. People have come and gone. Trends have come and gone. However, my stories and history only grow over time. My mission and path in life is uniquely mind.

So, if I'm ever asked if the Ship of Theseus is the same ship, I'm going to vote Yes. It's being may have evolved over time but its mission, story, and history remains. Just like me

Thanks for reading
and as always I love feedback 😁

Have you heard of the "Ship of Theseus?"