I read this story shared by Michelle, who recently passed away:

"One morning when I was little, my father took me to the fishing dock. But_________fishing, we just sat on one _________   watching the other children fishing with their parents. An hour went by and we left without ever   _________ a single fishing line into the water.

On the_________ home, I told my father I would never _________ him for being so mean to me. He asked smilingly,"Did you see the smiles on those children's faces?''I don't really _________! I just want to fish like them!' I responded angrily, but he _________my words and kept driving.

Such experiences repeated throughout my childhood and my father never _________why. But actually he didn't need to. Years later, when I found myself volunteering at a local homeless_________, I suddenly realized that those ____________ spent sitting on that dock was the very point ____________ I learned how to love."

Michelle's last story makes me think...

Honestly, too often we overlook ____________ and rarely stop. Because we never learn that every passing face represents a story. Everyone has ____________ something that has forced them to ____________, adapt and grow. Everyone's smile has been earned. Their issues are____________as significant and worthwhile as ____________we're going through.

Pausing occasionally to____________people around us will open our mind. ____________in their happiness will open our heart. If choosing to spend time pausing instead of bypassing quickly—to truly ____________and listen, we can learn so much… about ourselves, about each other, and even about real ____________.

One evening I was going back from a supermarket. As I _______ my car, I noticed that a person stood beside me. He was the one that could be _______as a bum (流浪汉). It seemed that he was homeless. I _______ that he would ask me for money, but he did not do that. He only said, “Your car is very nice.”

After several moments of _______, I replied, “Thanks.” And then the inner voice _______ to me, “Ask him if he needs help.” After a short _______ I asked him that. His response was _______. I would never forget those simple three words “Don’t we all?”

It was a new _______ to me. I needed help, just as those _______. I had money and a house to live in, but I ________ needed help. Then I opened my wallet and offered him enough money to get some shelter for a day.

________ I understood that no matter how much money, ________, luxury things we have, we all need help. And on the other hand, no matter how poor we are, how many ________ problems we have, we still might be giving. ________ it’s just a nice word, it can be ________ to other people.

Maybe that man was just a homeless stranger, but to me he was ________ that. Maybe he was a man sent to ________ me that there is one thing, among all ________ which is very important and cannot be ________ for every person. Actually, it is a true ________ and it’s called “Giving”.

I guess a boss must be pleased to hear that his employees are sorry to hear he’s leaving and that they respected him and appreciated the job he’d done. Cards and emails are great, but maybe it’s just ______ heartwarming to know that kind words are being said ______“behind your back”．

I like to do the ______ for my students. Of course I give them my own compliments, but I love to let them know when other adults have ______ their good behavior and attitudes. I want them to know that we aren’t spending our lunch and meeting times ______ about them all the time! I want them to know that we often express our ______ in working with this ______ group of kids, and I want them to know why!

I ______ myself when someone finds how my teenage grandchildren are turning into such fine young people. Then it’s absolutely ______ to let them know it too! I want them to know that people notice them, and that it ______ when what they notice is good and praiseworthy.

I’ve known, from the other side, how much this can ______. I often lack confidence in my own abilities as a teacher, so it gave me quite a ______ when a friend who works with families in the community ______ that he has heard several times from parents how glad they are to have their kids in my class. It just feels more important ______ to have the words said by people who don’t know I’ll ever hear — when they can be ______ honest. Great to hear it and great to ______!

Sure, it’s pleasant when we can say nice things about other people. It feels good! And I think it’s a ______ compliment for people to know of the times when others are saying nice things even ______ ear shot.

Watch for your next opportunity to be the ______! Make sure to tell them about the nice things being said behind their backs! Because how will they know ______ we tell them.