SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE:

As we enter a new year, it is appropriate to reevaluate our attitudes and goals. This is particularly important when the year portends significant changes in our lives. We entered 2009 with the world economy in disrepair. Our attitude has much to do with how we deal with adversity.

A few years ago, when we often had to wait in the car for an hour or more to fill our gas tanks or use the “odd-even” plan, I heard many wail that our lives would be forever changed. During the 2000 “dot-com” implosion, many felt the economy and the market would never recover. And just months ago, gas was approaching $5 a gallon and again, our lives would never be the same. In each of these situations, things turned around and predictions of disaster faded.

Now, we have experienced a hotly contested election. America has chosen a new and distinctive president, and some are predicting America’s demise. Our family has chosen to stand tall and support our president and revel in the opportunity for America to accept him as an example of our progress toward the elimination of prejudice and the increase in our respect for all.

President Barack Obama has set the goal of leading our nation with the promise of change. We have set our own personal goal to make changes in our lives to be more responsive to the needs of others, be more respectful to those who are different from us, and to give more back to our community.

My wife, Sheila, and I look forward to 2009 as a “new beginning.” We pray for the success of our new president that he might bridge the political divide, bring us together so we can elevate our perception of our potential, encourage a new spiritual awakening, strengthen the respect for America in the world, and lead us out of the financial difficulties we face. Our prayer is to look back on 2009 as a year of progress.

TOM THORKELSON is the director of Interfaith Relations for Orange County at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.