Sure, it’s a shameless way to entice additional readership, but come on. Is there any way you can deny the power a smile has on your outlook?

A friend of mine told me that someone he knows (we’ll call him Steve) had been out of work for more than a year, despite his best efforts to find employment and a dedicated work history within middle management for a national organization. Steve’s story was one that’s been played millions of times:

• Corporate downsizing leads to those with higher salaries being RIFfed (Reduction In Force).
• Financial constraints and guilty feelings over failure to support a family lead to increased stress, tension and arguing.
• Frustration mounts as efforts to find employment – even through entry-level positions – prove unsuccessful due to hiring freezes or organizational knowledge that the candidate is far too qualified for the position and will leave once offered a more suitable job.
• Bills…