6. Get politically involved

Learn about where your local, state and federal officials stand on issues that concern poor and impoverished. Write letters and express your opinion...take time to go to polls and vote for candidates who most reflect your values on these issues.

7. Work with children in your community.

Poverty is a vicious cycle handed down from one generation to next. Think about becoming a mentor for a needs family and give something back...help break cycle of poverty.

8. Donate some of your services

If you're a lawyer do some free legal work for less fortunate. If you are a physician give some free medical care. If you're a development coach donate some coaching services. Whatever your specialty is there are people who need you. You will discover great rewards by giving something back to those who can least afford you.

9. Put your passion to work

If your passion is basketball, coach a team in youth league. Find ways of making what you love to do become beneficial for those in need in your community.

10. Don't ignore your fellow human beings

We all come from same source...the same place. The less fortunate are our brothers and sisters. Treat them with respect and dignity. Give them a "hand up" not a "hand out." Let's not ignore our fellow human beings...we are all in this same world together.

You know going back to school will help further your career. You keep putting it off and making excuses. 'I'll do it later.' 'I need to be home for my family.' 'I don't have time right now.' Excuses, excuses, excuses.

What's real reason you keep putting it off? Are you worried about how your co-workers might react if you get promoted over them? Are you worried about if you'll lose some of your friends if you change too much? Are you worried about added responsibility of a new position?

You keep worrying about all of 'what ifs' - things that haven't happened yet and end up staying stuck in same position at your job. All while, complaining about wanting to move up in your career and wanting a raise.

So how do you get out of this rut, out of this cycle? You want to change, but you're afraid to change, so you resist change, and you stay stuck.

You have to release your fears before you can move forward, before you can re-invent yourself. You have to remove blocks laying in your path so you can have a clear view of what lies ahead for you. Acknowledge your need to change and then honor your past, present and future by taking a step in a new direction. A step towards a new you.