​This ebook is meant to be read for joy and in the process, it is my hope that you will develop an appreciation for prayer and enjoy the concept of incorporating prayer into your daily life.

Find this ebook in the Kindle Store at Amazon.

Note: I am in the process of formatting the paperback version of this book and will announce the completion of the paperback version in the near future.

How can I be the better person?
Listen, when I say be the better person, I don’t mean that you should be full of yourself and act like you are all that and a bag of chips. I also don’t mean that you should roll over and let people beat you up or belittle you in any way. No, being the better person has a lot to do with how you analyze and respond to things that happen in life.

For example, it is good to try to see things from other people’s perspective. Think… “How would I feel if X was happening to me?” "How would I feel if someone said X to me?" Consider the other person’s point of view before responding. When you do this, you will see that your reaction becomes more well-rounded and appropriate for the situation.

Don’t be a target!
Another tactic about being the better person is to never react to things people say or do. Don’t put your feelings out there - on a platter for people to squash you down to the ground. Many people love to put other people down, especially if they think you are an easy target. You’re the better person when you are not jumping up and down, yelling and screaming at people. When you are yelling and screaming at people, it only makes YOU appear to look like a child throwing a temper tantrum. If there is any yelling and screaming going on, let it be the OTHER person. Let THEM look childish instead of you. Granted, you don’t deserve to get yelled at, but neither do other people. Let them act like the out of control child with a temper tantrum. In doing this, you will appear to be the more mature person that you are. You will, essentially be the better person.

In today's society, people can be ultra-mean. But, you do not have to stoop down to their level. Be the better person at all times and you will find it easier to handle the ups and downs of other people and their meanness.

Video: Motivation Monday #1 - Be a Better Person
This guy, Stu Crompton, says all the things I say on a regular basis. In this short video (3:37), he talks about how we should:

• Stop judging people – He says, “If you’re going to judge somebody, make sure you’re dammed perfect yourself.”
• Surround yourself with positive people.
• Rid yourself of all toxic people.
• Stop with indirect insults.
• Don’t try to make everybody happy. You can’t please everybody. Do what makes you happy.
• Set lifetime goals.
• “Always be looking forward, don’t dwell on the past.”

I just watched Stu's video today and enjoyed it so much I subscribed to his channel. I want to catch all of his Monday Motivations.

We only have one life to live. Live it to the best level you can. I hope this message helps you be the best person you can be.

Copyright Marlene C. Bertrand 2017

ITT Tech Closing Down - Massive Job Loss for 8,000 Employees
I read in the news today that ITT Tech is closing all 130 campuses in 38 states. They are eliminating 8,000 employees. That’s what my book, “Riches to Rags to Right-Sized Living: The Simple Life – The New American Dream” is all about - how people are let go from being employed and all of a sudden they are unemployed. In the book, I share my personal story of how I dealt with being unexpectedly unemployed. I hope that by reading my story, someone is able to come out of sudden unemployment with a different and possibly better lifestyle.

Book Description (On Amazon and Kindle):
On August 25, 2016, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that from January 2013 through December 2015, there were 3.2 million workers displaced from jobs they had held for at least 3 years.
 
Losing a job is distressing. Not being able to find a replacement job can be devastating and there is no comfort in knowing the number of people who share in your job loss position. The possibility of poverty becomes a “real” alternative and managing the transition is your only solution.

This is a memoir. It is a true story that recalls the journey of Marlene Bertrand, a woman who once owned a small business, who once earned a six-figure income and lived the lifestyle of the American Dream. But, then in the year 2008 a new presidential regime was voted in. This new Commander-in-Chief charged in and changed the way of the world, making decisions without regard for the citizens who would be affected. These presidential decisions wrought havoc on the economy; consequently, these decisions destroyed the very lifestyle to which Marlene had become accustomed.

After losing her job due to “Right-Sizing,” Marlene was unable to find gainful employment and rapidly went from living an upper-middle class lifestyle to living in poverty. It wasn’t easy, but Marlene is a positive thinker. When life gives her lemons, she makes lemonade. After making some adjustments in her mindset and behavior she is now living a simple life, sharing her struggles and solutions to help others transition to living a simple, yet sustainable lifestyle.

Marlene not only talks about living with less income, she is living with less income. In “From Riches to Rags to Right-Sized Living,” Marlene shows you how to live with less money, yet still live a more abundant lifestyle.

Marlene says,
“As I was writing this book I feared I might be sharing too much of my life with the world. But, the more I wrote, the more I realized that sharing my story might help others know that they are not alone in their financial and lifestyle struggles. Being terminated from employment can happen to anyone."

I enjoy writing. And, whenever I am asked to write a blog for someone as a guest, I am honored and happy to do so. Guest blogging is a way for me to share my experience with readers who I may otherwise not be able to reach. I also appreciate when other writers agree to be a guest blogger for my blogs. This gives readers exposure to writers who have a lot more to share than just little old me.

Recently, I read an article from a fellow writer who offers some handy suggestions on the proper way to invite guests to write for your blog. I found the article to be extremely helpful.

If you are interested in asking others to write for your blog, you will find some helpful tips by reading:
The Proper Way to Feature a Guest Writer on Your Blog by  bravewarrior a HubPages writer.