There’s no doubt that the world is greeting 2009 with what politicians and coaches refer to as “lowered expectations.”

Coaches lower expectations to avoid supplying any bulletin board material for their opponents. Political operatives lower expectations, especially in a presidential or vice-presidential debate, to reduce the chances that voters will be disappointed by their candidate’s performance.

With any luck maybe the same strategy will work for 2009, and we’ll all be pleasantly surprised by how the year turns out.

Certainly, there is little cause for optimism right now. Despite vigorous government efforts, the U.S. economy has shown few signs of turning around. Consumer confidence is at an all-time low, and experts say the current recession could last for months or years.

All around the world, trouble spots are simmering or exploding. Israelis and Palestinians once again are at war. Tensions are rising between India and Pakistan. Political upheaval and humanitarian crises trouble several areas of Africa. The United States is trying to make a relatively peaceful and responsible exit from Iraq, but problems in Afghanistan and elsewhere in that region almost certainly will require continued U.S. attention.

For some Americans, the beginning of Barack Obama’s presidency offers a ray of hope, but the needs and problems he will face seem immense. Even under a best-case scenario, it will take time for the economy to recover and the global situation to stabilize.

Talk about lowered expectations. About all it seems we can hope for 2009 is that things don’t get any worse.

But before you crawl off to bed and pull the covers over your head, let’s have a few words about character and resilience, important commodities in difficult times. The United States is a resilient country. Even when the economy is struggling and a new president is taking office, there is no likelihood this nation will collapse or fall into disarray. That stability gives us an ongoing basis on which to build a better future.

The character of the American people is such that we know how to persevere, how to help one another when times are tough. During the Great Depression, it was not uncommon for drifters to knock on an unknown person’s door and be given something to eat by someone else who probably was just barely getting by. Strangers knocking on doors might not be routine today, but there should be an awareness that those of us who have something to spare should be sharing our good fortune with those who are struggling either individually or through the many service agencies that are supported by charitable donations.

It’s true that times are tough, and yet, life goes on. Now is the perfect time to acknowledge and celebrate your family and friends and the many non-material blessings of life.

It may be a little hard to look forward to 2009, but there’s always reason for hope. Here’s to a new year that pleasantly surprises us all!