Nothing is more important than family. I have always been a proud member of the Naughton family. But I am also a member of my mom's side of the family- the Kellers. Mom was originally from California and moved to Missouri after marrying my dad. Over the years, she drifted apart from the Kellers and lost contact with most of them. Recently, she has been in touch with her sister who was kind enough to extend to Mom, Blake, and I an invitation to attend the Keller family reunion on Labor Day weekend. I am very excited to go, because I have many relatives that I have never met before who will be there. Four of my five first cousins on the Keller side will be there with their families. I have no memories of any of them, although I may have "met" them when I was too young to remember. It hasn't really sunk in yet that I will have the chance to get to know that many people so closely related to me all at once. Its almost overwhelming to think about. With that in mind, I asked my Aunt Linda for any contact info on attendees so that I may introduce myself to them in advance of the big day. Less than one day after emailing all of them, almost all of them sent a very thoughtful reply. It seems they are just as excited to meet the Naughtons as we are to meet them. I can't wait.
Families are complicated. Families are messy. Famlies are a blessing. Usually, a person has to get married to double the size of their family. I've already been there (with good results I might add.) Today, when I checked my email, I felt like my family just doubled in size again. That's pretty damn cool.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
In the News- Again
My store, Treats Unleashed, was featured in the paper again last week. I am loving the free publicity. Here's the link: http://www.columbiatribune.com/2008/Feb/20080216Busi008.asp BTW, sales year-to-date are up 58% over last year at this time. That manager kicks ass!
Friday, February 15, 2008
Yes We Can
I believe so strongly that Barack Obama is the best person for the job of President of the United States, that I donated to his campaign. That's the first time I've put money into a campagin since I ran for Student Council President in high school. (I won.) I got an email from the Obama campaign today asking me to write a note to the superdelegates to persuade them to vote with the will of the people, so that a back-room deal will not decide who will be our next president. Here is what I wrote:
Dear Superdelgate,
I love America. I hate the way America has been mismanaged in recent years. Powerful lobbies, Halliburton, Big Oil, and other special interests are puppetmasters using the White House to get what they want. Well I say it is time for the American people to get what they want. Affordable healthcare, an end to the War in Iraq, a living wage, and better education are just a few of the needs of the masses that are not being met due to the desires of a powerful few. That is not democracy. Bushes and Clintons have been in the Executive Branch since 1981. If Hillary Clinton wins the White House, it will mean that two powerful families will have been in the White House for at least 32 straight years. That is not democracy. And look where our country is today as a result. The United States Government is making enemies both foreign and domestic at an alarming pace. As we head to recession and continue to be entrenched in an unnecessary and costly war, the citizens of this great nation are yearning for change. It is time for Change We Can Believe In. I implore you as a superdelegate to vote for the candidate with the most popular votes, most pledged delegates, and most states won. A true reflection of the people's will is embodied in who they cast their votes for. Please honor the intentions of the American people and vote for the majority's choice: Barack Obama.
Respectfully,
Travis A. Naughton
Dear Superdelgate,
I love America. I hate the way America has been mismanaged in recent years. Powerful lobbies, Halliburton, Big Oil, and other special interests are puppetmasters using the White House to get what they want. Well I say it is time for the American people to get what they want. Affordable healthcare, an end to the War in Iraq, a living wage, and better education are just a few of the needs of the masses that are not being met due to the desires of a powerful few. That is not democracy. Bushes and Clintons have been in the Executive Branch since 1981. If Hillary Clinton wins the White House, it will mean that two powerful families will have been in the White House for at least 32 straight years. That is not democracy. And look where our country is today as a result. The United States Government is making enemies both foreign and domestic at an alarming pace. As we head to recession and continue to be entrenched in an unnecessary and costly war, the citizens of this great nation are yearning for change. It is time for Change We Can Believe In. I implore you as a superdelegate to vote for the candidate with the most popular votes, most pledged delegates, and most states won. A true reflection of the people's will is embodied in who they cast their votes for. Please honor the intentions of the American people and vote for the majority's choice: Barack Obama.
Respectfully,
Travis A. Naughton
Saturday, February 09, 2008
A More Manageable Menagerie
Just a little less than two years ago, when I was still staying at home with Alex, the Naughton family consisted of three humans, three dogs, four cats, two goats, two rats, and a dozen aquarium fish. Caring for such a collection of life forms was fun, but demanding. Whenever we wanted to go out of town or take a vacation, the list of petsitters willing to commit to the care of our pets was very short.
Flash forward to today. All of the cats are gone. Two disappeared and two live happily at my mom's. Our beloved dog Jake passed into the next life as did Bella the goat. Now, Bella's brother Ferdie is feeling quite lonely without her, so we felt like it would be in his best interest to find him a new home where other goats live. The parents of Bethany's friend Jennifer have two pygmy goats currently and have graciously agreed to provide a loving forever home for our sad little Ferdie. This will be his last week at our home.
From a peak of eleven mammalian pets we will soon be down to four (two dogs and two rats.) Travel plans will be easier to make from now on. On trips that we take the dogs with us, a pet sitter will only have to come feed the fish and rats every other day or so rather than make three trips a day to our house to let dogs out, feed everybody, and clean up after an incontinent Jake.
I will always cherish the days when we had a virtual petting zoo. Strolls through the woods were always fun with dogs, cats, goats, and Alex walking in a bizarre looking procession on our trails. Alex developed a love for animals during that time that I imagine he will always possess. I miss our furry friends that we've lost, but we still have a few left to spoil. I hope that the dogs will still be around for another decade or so. By then, Alex will be getting close to leaving for college. As much as I love animals, it is possible that we could be without pets (or children) living in our house ten years from now. Would I be lonely? Of course. But Bethany and I would be in our mid-40's by then, completely debt-free including the house, with a nice nest-egg saved up. Our situation would be similar to when we were newlyweds except we'll be financially secure. Without a bunch of mouths to feed we would be free to travel at will. We could buy an RV and see the country. The possibilites...
Of course along the way to this empty nest Utopia a stray dog will show up on our doorstep. A barn cat will have kittens in our garage. We may actually end up adopting a child. And the next thing you know we'll be caring for another menagerie. Whatever the Universe throws at us we can handle. But can our petsitter?
Sunday, February 03, 2008
Right Action
One of the steps in Buddha's Eightfold Path toward enlightenment is called "Right Action." Others call it the Five Mindfulness trainings. Still others refer to this as the Five Precepts. No matter what its called, it simply is a short list of five vows every Buddhist must take.
1. "Refrain from killing." This includes all sentient beings. It also forbids contributing to the death of living beings by destroying the enviornment or giving cause for someone else to kill something as a result of your actions.
2. "Refrain from stealing." This includes living simply so as to not use more than our share of resources. It also includes not exploiting others for our personnal gain.
3. "Refrain from sexual misconduct." Buddha included most acts that we consider to be immoral as such. He also included sex without love.
4. "Refrain from false speech." Obvioulsy, we should never lie. We should also speak in a manner that nurtures loving kindness instead of rousing people to anger. We should avoid exaggeration, too.
5. "Refrain from abusing intoxicants." This one is tricky. There are some who believe Buddha meant to avoid any consumption of drugs or alcohol. Others believe moderation was the intent. Some think that drinking a glass of wine or beer a day is actually healthy, therefore making it acceptable. The idea is that from intoxication bad results follow, thus causing suffering.
These precepts are intended to act as a guide for Buddhists navigating their way toward enlightenment by building up good Karma. Breaking these precepts creates suffering and bad Karma. Following them relieves suffering, which is the purpose of a Buddhist's existence in this world. By following these Five Mindfulness Trainings, we can make the world a better place. See how simple it is to find happiness and purpose in life?
I am trying to live by these precepts as best as I can. It is difficult to break old habits. I drink in moderation (most of the time.) I catch and release when I fish. I try to be truthful. I don't steal. I refrain from sexual misconduct. Overall, I am doing pretty good but I know I can do better. And that is the point, I think. We can always do better. Nobody is perfect. But we can try to be better people. That is what I meant when I made my New Year's Resolution to ask myself "What would Buddha do?" before I act. Following these precepts is a simple way to do just that.
1. "Refrain from killing." This includes all sentient beings. It also forbids contributing to the death of living beings by destroying the enviornment or giving cause for someone else to kill something as a result of your actions.
2. "Refrain from stealing." This includes living simply so as to not use more than our share of resources. It also includes not exploiting others for our personnal gain.
3. "Refrain from sexual misconduct." Buddha included most acts that we consider to be immoral as such. He also included sex without love.
4. "Refrain from false speech." Obvioulsy, we should never lie. We should also speak in a manner that nurtures loving kindness instead of rousing people to anger. We should avoid exaggeration, too.
5. "Refrain from abusing intoxicants." This one is tricky. There are some who believe Buddha meant to avoid any consumption of drugs or alcohol. Others believe moderation was the intent. Some think that drinking a glass of wine or beer a day is actually healthy, therefore making it acceptable. The idea is that from intoxication bad results follow, thus causing suffering.
These precepts are intended to act as a guide for Buddhists navigating their way toward enlightenment by building up good Karma. Breaking these precepts creates suffering and bad Karma. Following them relieves suffering, which is the purpose of a Buddhist's existence in this world. By following these Five Mindfulness Trainings, we can make the world a better place. See how simple it is to find happiness and purpose in life?
I am trying to live by these precepts as best as I can. It is difficult to break old habits. I drink in moderation (most of the time.) I catch and release when I fish. I try to be truthful. I don't steal. I refrain from sexual misconduct. Overall, I am doing pretty good but I know I can do better. And that is the point, I think. We can always do better. Nobody is perfect. But we can try to be better people. That is what I meant when I made my New Year's Resolution to ask myself "What would Buddha do?" before I act. Following these precepts is a simple way to do just that.
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