Opposite Action is an empowerment program based upon the wisdom of Appalachian Elders. The program has been designed by Linda Jordan, Healthcare Practitioner in Appalachia for over 35 years.
Opposite Action is a program that empowers citizens to respond actively and constructively to negative life events. It can be used as an antidote for the feelings of helplessness and hopelessness. The techniques can be applied throughout life, can be easily modified and can be implemented with limited resources. Many strategies have no economic cost, yet are compatible with a variety of spiritual and cultural perspectives. This unique versatility springs from an underappreciated land of great biodiversity, Appalachia.
The program uses the following Acts to empower, enrich and energize both the individual and community where the acts are being performed.
Acts of Beauty are inspiring and remind us of the positive and creative aspects of humanity as well as the recuperative powers of the natural world.
Acts of Comfort attempt to counteract some of the intense, physical and emotional suffering caused by negative life events.
Acts of Construction or Restoration honor the intuitive awareness that creativity is more powerful than destruction.
Acts of Courage counterbalance fear, and sometimes take the form of trust. Courage requires us to trust in ourselves.
The Essential Act is simply, an action that must be done. Essential Acts are defined by the individual, and may involve the expression of ideas, innate skills or talents
Acts of Forgiveness are free choices that often do not come with warm, fuzzy feelings, but eventually lead to peace.
Acts of Gratitude counteract the twin effects of ‘impassioned blaming’ and the spiritual confusion caused by negative events.
Acts of Growth can abound in situations where we bravely accept circumstances that are beyond our control and attempt to make the best of them.
Acts of Hope strive to counteract the effect of despair that is created by unexpected trauma and grief. Hope is essential to life.
Acts of Order are those acts that organize, clarify, or provide structure in places or situations that are dysfunctional or chaotic.
Acts of Peace relate directly to feelings of security and safety and empower the individual to make changes by encouraging the contributions of the average person.
Acts of Unity reinforce feelings of power and control by reminding us of our common ground and the fact that we are all in this together.