2008 had ended hours ago without regrets. It was a year that brought the world many tragedies, but it also gave us hope—and without hope, we have nothing to live for.

2008 bequeathed to 2009 many hurdles and obstacles and it remains to be seen if the New Year is able to overcome them. Humanity is facing significant challenges, so will human beings be able to unite in order to face such challenges? Are the conditions so dire that we deem them hopeless? Absolutely not!

No matter how difficult things may be we can be assured that God will not forsake his creation. Things will change, but such change will not take place haphazardly without a Divine plan. Things are changing, but the change may not always be clear to us or to our liking. Things may get much worse before they get better and it all depends on the merit and attitude of humanity.

The ideals of Daheshism are lofty and can serve to lift humanity from many of its problems, however, will human beings be able to:

• Eliminate hatred from the hearts?
• Renounce violence?
• Save the environment?
• Embrace equality of race and gender?
• Plant the seeds of forgiveness, compassion, justice, and brotherly love?
• Seek the path laid down to us by the Creator through his Guides and Prophets?

These and many others will undoubtedly serve humanity well. We can all start by following such Daheshist ideals on a personal basis—even though the reader may not be a Daheshist, for these are universal ideals.

May 2009 deliver on the promise of hope that we all seek!