I’m hopeful about this holiday season. Specifically, I hope we learn that the things economists measure best are not what matter most. Thoughtful people will understand that good friendships and the warmth that comes from helping the unfortunate are more satisfying than transitory fruits of wealth.

This Christmas season is quite different from those of the past few years. Until recently the great majority of us had a problem of plenty when selecting greetings and gifts. What does one give to those who need nothing? Our challenge was to find creative gifts for well-off friends and relatives. Most people in comfortable circumstances had to make a special effort to find those in genuine need.

That time of apparent plenty is historically aberrant. Many Americans face serious adjustments as they accommodate to living within their means. Ratcheting downward is emotionally and financially far more difficult than the easy upward climb folks came to expect as the natural norm. We’ve hit a reality check; things that can’t go on won’t.

Independent of the quality of the Obama Administration, and the announced appointments hold excellent promise, only the naïve expect a bounce back to the false prosperity many perceive as normal and continual. It surely wasn’t.

Many folks fear about losing their jobs and their homes. Those of my generation have seen their retirement accounts fall by a quarter or even by half. Revising expectations downward is inherently trying. Yet, it is surely better to acknowledge and accommodate new realities than to be blindsided and swamped by them. Responsible people understand an economy based on unsustainable consumer credit can’t go on indefinitely.

Most Americans are far beyond the affluence required for a satisfactory and rewarding life. It’s the adjustment downward, not real privations that will be painful.

Today’s situation may hold genuine benefits, especially for the circumspect. Across recent times and among Western cultures, happiness and satisfaction are influenced far more by sound friendship and kinship networks than by additional material wealth. For those in the middle class and above, additional financial increments are far less important to happiness than are good social relations and feelings derived from contributing to others’ needs.

In sum, if you and your loved ones are not wiped out by this economic downturn, you have cause to feel good. After adjusting, you may be even better off than before. Yes, you may cancel a cruise or not buy a boat. These are really small things regardless of the length of the cruise or size of the boat. They rarely provide the satisfaction of friendship or helping others.

Back to this Christmas season, what may we do? Here are some suggestions: First, there are now more people, perhaps including friends and relatives, who actually are in need. It’s important, though not always easy, to help them.

Next, recognize there are those who have suffered great loss through illness or injury. For those who retain a financial cushion, surely most Americans, this is an excellent time to increase our generosity.

Many folks through no fault of their own have fallen on hard times. Due to illness, lost employment, a fire, flood, or other misfortune, they find themselves in sorry circumstances. For them, temporary assistance may be a great blessing. They deserve our help, especially when opportunities for gainful employment are scarce. A temporary boost may be all that is required.

The Salvation Army and the Food Bank are wonderful organizations and I’m confident that folks of goodwill will find other opportunities to share. Here’s an idea that is easy to implement and adjustable to any budget. Call your dentist or ophthalmologist and ask if she or he knows of a family whose children need dental work or eyeglasses but can’t afford even simple care. Offer to pay some or all of it.

This is a time to search out needs and give more generously than when we felt rich. If you are hard pressed and can’t spare even modest funds, volunteer your time to a worthy cause. Habitat for Humanity, for example, welcomes volunteers. This is an excellent time to give one’s time, money, and energy to worthy causes. You’ll feel better for doing so.