I know what you’re thinking: Spiritual Enlightenment combined with What’s Hot in 2009? These two things do NOT belong together. You might even suggest that it is impossible - heretical, almost - to mix foundational, unchanging spiritual truths with the fickle moodiness of fashion trends. Perhaps it’s crass, even. But I, for one, am not above it. Especially if it will get people on board with behaviors and attitudes that will improve their personal lives, our society, or even the planet. And what better audience to suggest this to, than the creative, sophisticated, spiritually enlightened artists and writers at OS? This boundless group of thoughtful and insightful people, you who are already spiritually engaged by virtue of the hundreds of daily posts expressing your innermost thoughts, desires, hopes and fears. Come on, this will be fun!

Oh yes, and then there’s that other thing I wanted to mention, about the horrible year we’re coming out of.

Perhaps a good reason to focus on the spiritual -- what a year it’s been. One that will surely go down in the history books as we watched the excesses of greed and insatiable spending that propped up our economy finally catch up with all good Americans. Materialism, consumerism, celebrity and waste, these are all becoming passé as we face the sobering new realities before us.

I wonder, then - might 2009 be the Year of Spiritual Renewal? In the void of economic froth and easy credit, will people perhaps turn inward and find a new appreciation for the deeper meaning of their spiritual lives?

Maybe I’m naively hopeful, but in an effort to spur the spiritual trend, here are a few ideas of what I think, spiritually speaking, will be IN and OUT for 2009. My list is slightly biased towards a Christian spirituality, but I would surely want to count in all walks and faiths and beliefs and non-beliefs, even. By all means, don’t let it stop here. Please add your own ideas to The Spiritually Enlightened Person’s Guide to What’s Hot For 2009!

I am not impressed. No one is any more. And for goodness sake, I don’t care who you are, what you’ve published, or who you met at a dinner party last week, you are a vulnerable and insecure mess just like me. In 2009 we want to know you. The real you, warts and all, not the version you think everyone wants you to be. We’re all in this national crisis-mode together. It’s time to strip away all the layers and the fluff, go deep down inside, and find out what’s in there. And then you can give it away to others.

OUT:    Conspicuous Spending

Duh. It’s simply not good for the wallet, or the soul. Rather, everyone is getting in the mood to cut back and simplify. Uber futurist and trend-watcher Faith Popcorn has dubbed it "The Culture of Recession."  Basically her report says that everyone is just going to buy less stuff next year. Good.

Haven’t we all had just about enough of Oprah? Her spiritual wares are wearing me down as she has saturated her watered-down brand of self-help spirituality throughout every possible media outlet, except for maybe the roll of toilet paper in my bathroom (not yet, anyways). And now there’s an Oprah store? It’s been nice, but can we move on? Obama, on the other hand, clearly represents the dawning of a new era for America, one that resonates with spiritual growth as he promotes ideas of change, renewal, and repentance. Light them fires of change and get us out of this mess!

I’m talking communion, here, folks. What are those stiff wafers even made of? They certainly don’t taste sustainable.

You do have a choice, you know. And it’s not necessarily in your medicine cabinet. Check in on that inner voice that’s always bugging you, and see if you can dial down the destructive chatter. Sometimes it just takes a little conscious recalibration of your perspective towards gratefulness. I’ll bet if you make a little effort, you’ll find plenty of good thoughts to feed to your inner monster. Surprise people by thanking them. Be the one in the conversation to introduce a positive comment. Start a Gratitude Group!

Well, Okay, it’s not like I’m going to stop praying. It’s just that praying can actually make me more anxious, while meditating is so much more…whole. I think it integrates both sides of my brain, while synching up my psyche with some other tranquil dimension of the universe. Or something like that. Try it, you’ll see.

I thought it would be a good idea to include a food reference for good measure.

This moment is now, and that’s really all I have. So I will revel in the senses, the beauty, the chaos and the fellowship of all that God has given me. Whatever and whoever is there, in that moment, right in front of me, I will give my full attention. Which, right now, is me writing on this computer screen, and you reading it.

It’s nice, isn’t it?