There was once a time that I would only do what I knew was comfortable for me. Stuck in a continuous cycle of repetitive choices, I knew what was________when it came to making decisions. I knew what wouldn’t _______me too much, what would me glued to the floor of where I already was________ little did I realize at the time that this was not the right path for me.

After living the same type of life for so long I decided bat there was more for me. Although it was uncomfortable at first, I pushed myself to get_______ in things that I wouldn't normally do, I decided to open up and talk to other people that I didn’t think I would have the_______ to show my face to, and I started to share more about myself with others that already knew me. By doing these things, I _______ to find more parts of life to open myself up to.

A quote said"Life begins at the end of your comfort zone."Reading the quote made me realize that I was stuck in a life that wasn't truly mine. I was bound by chains that made me _______ to experience life, so I always keep it as a reminder to myself to go beyond my_________.

There are a few ways you can begin to push past your comfort zone. First, make a bucket list. All you need to do is write down a list of things that you want to ______ in your lifetime, but make sure you do them. A bucket list isn't useful unless you are _______ going to try and achieve it.

Secondly, if you want, ask someone to tag along(H E). If you have a friend who is also interested in experiencing more of their life then you can join _______ and work together. That way, you can push each other to actually go out and experience.

Finally, ________ yourself. Make yourself a promise that if you check something off your bucket list then you will do something nice for yourself. Maybe you have always been interested in bungee jumping, but have been toe afraid. Put it on the list and promise yourself a shopping trip or anything else to _______ yourself into doing it.

Life is about ________ it up with as many experiences as possible, so don’t miss out on an amazing opportunity to ________ yourself or lean something valuable.

I work as a waiter at a hotel. Last night, an elderly white, seemingly _______ couple entered the restaurant. My co-worker greeted and _______ them in a friendly way. We usually take charge of our own _______, but when we are _______, we help each other out.

I was _______ the customers at another table when the elderly husband _______ to me that they were ready to order. I usually find it _______ when people go out of their way to make their order, especially when we are super busy. But once I took the couple’s _______ I understood why.

The husband began ordering, stuttering (结巴) to a degree I’d never heard before. It was very clear that he had a _______ disorder. I could tell the wife had told her husband very extensively what she wanted, as a(n) __________ for him to practice ordering. It took him quite a while to order. Meanwhile, she was just sitting there, looking proud and __________ despite her husband’s endless stuttering.

Honestly, the whole thing just did something to me. It was beautiful and made me realize that a huge part of love is ____________, patience and support. She could have made the order and made things a lot __________ for her husband and avoided the __________ from other tables, but she didn’t. __________, she supported him and was proud to see him __________ the order.

The whole thing also __________ me that life isn’t always __________ for everyone. These rich people seemed to have everything, but they also have __________ they have to face daily. But I’ve learnt that life isn’t about waiting for the storm to __________, it’s about learning to dance in the rain.

Standing on the shore of a lake, I can’t help but be surprised at the thousands of small rocks that surround my boots. They were all created from hard surfaces, their edges turning _________ over time.

And I wonder, can we learn from a pile of rocks?

Once, I too was a sharp rock covered with _________. Today, after decades of the waters of life _________ over me, my edges are softer. I’m less likely to _________ and more interested in understanding others and learning how we can exist together.

Two years ago, while traveling in the Pacific Northwest during the pandemic, I watched a restaurant owner ask several people to leave for not wearing masks. On the door _________ a sign: “Please wear a mask before entering our restaurant. We don’t like it either, but let’s all do what we can to _________ this together.”

The group of young men wished to _________ about the note.

I sat watching, _________ both sides. I’ve been those guys before, using my youthful edges to chip away at (不停地凿) the world. What I lost, _________, was the ability to __________ from experiences by looking through the eyes of others. In learning to be more __________, I’ve also found more happiness and success.

You can fit more __________ rocks in a jar than those with sharp edges. The former look for ways to __________ and make room for others; the latter never give an inch to accommodate others.

Time, like the waters rolling against once sharp stones, __________ us by washing away our resistance to seeing the world from others’ point of view.

I placed a round stone into my jacket pocket. Mother Nature is giving a __________ again.