An author says a person cannot be stressed and thankful at the same time.
Jon Gordon of Jacksonville, Fla., takes a walk of gratitude in the morning.
"If you're feeling blessed, you can't be stressed," he said.
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Gordon was the speaker during North Central Ohio Educational Service Center's Opening Day 2011 program at The Ritz Theatre Monday. He is the author of "The Energy Bus," "The No Complaining Rule," "Training Camp," "The Shark and The Goldfish," "The Seed" and "Soup," according to his website.
Gordon said optimism matters, can be cultivated and is not something that happens by accident.
He said he knows teachers are going to face adversity, challenges and setbacks.
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Author Jon Gordon speaks during North Central Ohio Educational Service Center’s Opening Day 2011 program at The Ritz Theatre Monday. To view video from this event, visit www.advertiser-tribune.com.
"It's how we respond to the test that matters," he said.
Gordon said where there is a void, negativity will fill it. Complaining, he said, is like vomiting: A person always feels better after it, but everyone else around him or her feels sick.
Instead of complaining, a person has to focus on solutions. A person is not allowed to complain unless he or she has one or two positive solutions, he said.
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Open house
North Central Ohio Educational Service Center is to have an open house at its new facility, 928 W. Market St., 5-7 p.m. today. A ribbon-cutting with Tiffin Area Chamber of Commerce is planned for 5:45 p.m.
"Everyone now gets on the bus together," he said.
Gordon said he believes people complain because they feel powerless. He said there is a great deal of uncertainty and fear, but he believes people have to take on fear now more than ever.
"We take on that fear with one word - faith. ... Fear believes in a negative future. Faith believes in a positive future," he said.
Gordon said it is little things people do with a big dose of love that matter, and the quality of schools is determined by the quality of relationships. He encouraged teachers to take a deep breath, slow down and focus on developing relationships.
"Plant yourself where you are with a desire to serve and make a difference," he said.
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