Thomas J. Neuville Ph.D., Author, Advocate, Speaker And Coach

Dr. Thomas J. Neuville PhD., MBA
Author, Executive Coach and Speaker

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Being In A Fog

          Thomas J. Neuville

The USA flag lay draped across the stage on top of a flip chart piece of paper. The drawing on the paper represented a design of a traditional organizational chart. Resting on the flag was a single yellow Mum. Moments earlier and for over an hour John McKnight held me spellbound as he painted a story of the need for people to associate with each other. The call to give rebirth to the Republic was, John asserted, essential and could not be done through hierarchical structures. Structures that support the will of one being imposed on many. What is required is a void of structure occurrence known as association, neighborhood gathering, or other descriptive citizen doings.

The message was driven home when, for no earthly reason, the flag fell. The strength of the country was built on a republic of people taking charge. A rebirth is mandated. Death will be hastened with attempts of applying organizational structure to people associating.

The entire day was a fog for me, I simply could not sort out the actions needed to go with the morning message.

I spent the day talking to many peers, wondering the shops of a specialty mall and in general being incoherent. By the next day I was ready to passively receive more information and chose Mark Harris from the Highlander Center. This turned out not to be a respite or place I could hide but an activity that forced me to ask what is life now like for people with disabilities and what is a better vision. Struck by the absence of the people at issue I jumped into a group of about five professionals. At the conclusion of this session I felt renewed in my commitment to help citizens through the process of living with each other. I was still positive that systems should be used as a resource but that there is no systems fix. What must be done is to spark, were ever possible, associations.

As I flew out of Pittsburgh in the snow I felt that a piece was missing, or that I did not yet comprehend how to make anything happen. I decided to read my Utne Reader magazine.

Articles about "Green politics" caught my interest. I wanted to think about a different issue for a while. However two concepts made me relate to the three days in Pittsburgh.
One is the importance of clarity. People sometimes refer to this as single mindfulness of purpose. It is critical to understand what areas of society we wish to improve and commit to actions that are valid and loyal. We must incorporate this commitment into all areas of our life.

If preserving the earth is a concern then thought must be given to waste reduction, energy, water, food, transportation,toxins and pollutants, preservation of life and environment, philosophy and neighborhood conversations. A similar list can easily be made in regards to the concern of people having more desirable futures and valued lives.

The second concept that held meaning is "Ecofeminism". The term "Ecofeminism" was coined by French writer Francoise d'Eaubonne in 1974 to represent women's potential for bringing about an ecological revolution. Ecofeminism is a response to the perception that both women and nature have been devalued in Western culture and that both can be elevated and liberated through direct political action.*

Accepting the idea of people with disabilities being devalued by Western culture is a spiritual one. The immediate answer is to use the service system in helpful ways, guard against harmful ways and build associations (ordinary citizen doings). The underlaying theme is to understand that the spiritual dimension of people with disabilities having more desirable futures is not a recipe for taking oneself out of politics. Spirituality must not be seen as a retreat or disengagement, but rather as an inspiration for political work.

An interesting notion. That people with disabilities would band together with other citizens to accomplish an environmental advancement, lobby for a new street light or some other neighborhood concern.

How do we activate this? What are the advantages? How will people pervert the concept to better serve an empire?
What will I do today?

As we landed in Harrisburg a gorgeous sunset through the steam of Three Mile Island appeared. I was at once invigorated and cautioned. I felt the fog that lifted revealed some resolve. As I rejoiced in the clearing I knew that more fog lay ahead.

(*Taken from Utne Reader Nov./Dec. 1989 No. 36.)

By Dr. Thomas J. Neuville

Working Together Toward Quality And The Five Fundamental Social Laws

The Gift Of Death

Being In A Fog

Changing the Character Of Corporate America: Diversity Lessons From the Disability Movement

About Dr. Thomas J. Neuville

East Penn School Workshop Tackles Community Violence

Real Jobs Are Rare When Bolt Sorting Is The Norm

MU/Country Day Host Learners Forum

Speaker: Nonviolence Begins At Home Emmaus Workshop Focuses On Ways To Make Schools, Communities Safer Parents And Educators Attend

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	Dr. Thomas J. Neuville PhD., MBA Author, Executive Coach and Speaker Articles By Being In A Fog Thomas J. Neuville The USA flag lay draped across the stage on top of a flip chart piece of paper. The drawing on the paper represented a design of a traditional organizational chart. Resting on the flag was a single yellow Mum. Moments earlier and for over an hour John McKnight held me spellbound as he painted a story of the need for people to associate with each other. The call to give rebirth to the Republic was, John asserted, essential and could not be done through hierarchical structures. Structures that support the will of one being imposed on many. What is required is a void of structure occurrence known as association, neighborhood gathering, or other descriptive citizen doings. The message was driven home when, for no earthly reason, the flag fell. The strength of the country was built on a republic of people taking charge. A rebirth is mandated. Death will be hastened with attempts of applying organizational structure to people associating. The entire day was a fog for me, I simply could not sort out the actions needed to go with the morning message. I spent the day talking to many peers, wondering the shops of a specialty mall and in general being incoherent. By the next day I was ready to passively receive more information and chose Mark Harris from the Highlander Center. This turned out not to be a respite or place I could hide but an activity that forced me to ask what is life now like for people with disabilities and what is a better vision. Struck by the absence of the people at issue I jumped into a group of about five professionals. At the conclusion of this session I felt renewed in my commitment to help citizens through the process of living with each other. I was still positive that systems should be used as a resource but that there is no systems fix. What must be done is to spark, were ever possible, associations. As I flew out of Pittsburgh in the snow I felt that a piece was missing, or that I did not yet comprehend how to make anything happen. I decided to read my Utne Reader magazine. Articles about "Green politics" caught my interest. I wanted to think about a different issue for a while. However two concepts made me relate to the three days in Pittsburgh. One is the importance of clarity. People sometimes refer to this as single mindfulness of purpose. It is critical to understand what areas of society we wish to improve and commit to actions that are valid and loyal. We must incorporate this commitment into all areas of our life. If preserving the earth is a concern then thought must be given to waste reduction, energy, water, food, transportation,toxins and pollutants, preservation of life and environment, philosophy and neighborhood conversations. A similar list can easily be made in regards to the concern of people having more desirable futures and valued lives. The second concept that held meaning is "Ecofeminism". The term "Ecofeminism" was coined by French writer Francoise d'Eaubonne in 1974 to represent women's potential for bringing about an ecological revolution. Ecofeminism is a response to the perception that both women and nature have been devalued in Western culture and that both can be elevated and liberated through direct political action.* Accepting the idea of people with disabilities being devalued by Western culture is a spiritual one. The immediate answer is to use the service system in helpful ways, guard against harmful ways and build associations (ordinary citizen doings). The underlaying theme is to understand that the spiritual dimension of people with disabilities having more desirable futures is not a recipe for taking oneself out of politics. Spirituality must not be seen as a retreat or disengagement, but rather as an inspiration for political work. An interesting notion. That people with disabilities would band together with other citizens to accomplish an environmental advancement, lobby for a new street light or some other neighborhood concern. How do we activate this? What are the advantages? How will people pervert the concept to better serve an empire? What will I do today? As we landed in Harrisburg a gorgeous sunset through the steam of Three Mile Island appeared. I was at once invigorated and cautioned. I felt the fog that lifted revealed some resolve. As I rejoiced in the clearing I knew that more fog lay ahead. (Taken from Utne Reader Nov./Dec. 1989 No. 36.) © Copyright 2001 Dr. Thomas J. Neuville Ph.D., MBA By Dr. Thomas J. Neuville Working Together Toward Quality And The Five Fundamental Social Laws The Gift Of Death Being In A Fog Changing the Character Of Corporate America: Diversity Lessons From the Disability Movement About Dr. Thomas J. Neuville East Penn School Workshop Tackles Community Violence Real Jobs Are Rare When Bolt Sorting Is The Norm MU/Country Day Host Learners Forum Speaker: Nonviolence Begins At Home Emmaus Workshop Focuses On Ways To Make Schools, Communities Safer Parents And Educators Attend Dr. Thomas J. Neuville Ph.D., MBA Press Kit Press Releases* Resume Articles By And About Letters Of Reference Topics Specific And General Services Client Reference Keynotes And Other Conference Presentations

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