A recent article in Christian Science Monitor noted that a Pew Poll said that 90 percent of Americans have cell phones and 64 percent of them are smartphones.

I have bloviated before in this column about the power of a smile; how a smile can change someone’s face and their whole outlook on life and how it can spread that good will infectiously to others.

I’ve heard people say we need more heroes in today’s world, but I submit that we have tens of thousands--millions even--of heroes out there; they just don’t seek attention.

Last week a friend and I were in the ultimate man cave--Bass Pro Shop--gawking at the many things we didn’t need and couldn’t afford, when he suddenly stopped dead in his tracks.

Is there anybody reading this Week-Ender who has never experienced stress?

I was listening to the “Margaritaville” channel on XM radio the other day and a song came on entitled “Coasting” by a band whose name I can’t recall and I can’t even remember any words;

Smile though your heart is aching Smile even though it’s breaking When there are clouds in the sky, you’ll get by If you smile through your fear and sorrow Smile and maybe tomorrow You’ll see the sun come shining through for you

Last week I was standing in line at the local electronic gadgetry store waiting to buy yet another device to make my life more complicated and I got into a conversation with a lady in front of me.

In this world where “bad news sells,” it can seem like nobody has time for goodness; but then you experience a moment when something happens to change your mind.

Smile though your heart is aching Smile even though it's breaking When there are clouds in the sky, you'll get by If you smile through your fear and sorrow Smile and maybe tomorrow You'll see the sun come shining through for you