[Liara Covert]

I think all previous postings on this topic offer food for thought. Situations that cause us to feel uncomfortable can be wake-up calls to revise our values, behavior and to spend time to add new meaning or purpose to our lives. Consider what kinds of things would strengthen or create your own self-respect.

Step back a moment. When you think of a current problem, what compels you to fix it? What assumptions do you make about the happiness and unhappiness of others? Why not ask yourself, what opportunities do these percpetions or circumstances offer? How could I transform myself and grow?

Consider Mother Theresa. She chose to deepen her spiritual connection to poor, sick and homeless people. In her mind, "Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat." She chose to devote her life to make a difference in ways that shaped her life purpose.

If you wish to help poor people you don't know, you could start by thinking of them as individuals with names, faces and unique talents, rather than simply passing them in the streets. I have asked homeless street people if they could eat whatever I had for lunch and have given it away. Out of principle,I don't give money, not knowing on what that would be spent and not wishing to encourage them to beg. Instead, I donate to charities. Over Xmas, rather than exchange presents, friends and I donated the money we would've spent to local food banks in our area. Each effort makes a difference.

The poor are not all located overseas. You may wish to support or donate time to a charity. Visit a local shelter or volunteer at a soup kitchen. When you buy groceries, buy a bit extra and donate to a food bank. Plant a flower box and take it to brighten a homeless shelter or a retirement home. Your time and how you choose to spend it is a precious gift.

Why not contact local musicians, school or interest group to do a fundraising event? Take steps to raise the awareness of others about issues that matter to you such as poverty. Brainstorm what you could do. Invite someone who works with the poor to give a talk at school, workplace or for your community group. Another thought is to donate time to be a mentor to a child in the shelter, or an underprivileged child in a community (Consider Boys & Girls clubs-Big Brother/ Big Sister roles). You could even ask your boss if you can place a donation can for a local charity at your business's cash register. If you genuinely wish to help others, be consistent with your behavior, lifestyle and decisions of where to work and why.

You could begin by imagining what it would be like to to be homeless without resources, or people to care for you. Review your priorities. If this was you, what would you wish for people to do to reach out to you and raise you up?

All the best,