I’ve spent my life avoiding uncomfortable or dangerous situations. I’ve always sought _______ in the path of least resistance, choosing comfort and routine.

Hearing I felt trapped and lived a life of fear, a _______ friend who is brave and capable, gave me the _______ that changed my life. “Starting today, do something _______ every day that terrifies you. Magic may exist in those little things.”

Knowing something in my life needed to _______, I took her advice and accepted fear willingly. I gave myself permission to _______ new opportunities. My wise friend’s advice became my motto. It _______ me to be intentional with my thoughts and actions. In the years to come, following this advice opened doors that I didn’t _______ know had been closed.

Years of _______ being brave meant that bravery became easier and easier. I felt ________ confident and capable for the first time. This newfound bravery of mine was ________ one day when my husband presented me with the real ________ of moving to a foreign country. For years, he had ________ of moving our family overseas to pursue a different avenue for his career. Held back by ________, never before would I have considered taking this giant ________. However, this was the new me who didn’t ________ before a challenge. I was capable of anything.

Now one year into our life ________, the days are still beautiful though ________ at times. I get to try and fail, feel fear and choose to be brave every single day. I have learned ________ my place in the world or the comfort of my surroundings, I will be okay. Fear is a teacher that taught us how to face the ________.

Years ago, I had a fling-out with a friend due to a misunderstanding that was completely my fault. I was_______to admit that I was wrong, so we didn’t speak for years. Then we came across each other, which was so_______. I felt forced to apologize for my _______years earlier.

My experience isn't unique. Many people ______ apologizing because the idea of admitting to wrongdoing makes them ______ uncomfortable. Apologies force us to admit to ourselves that we don’t always ________our own standards. We might also fear that the victim（受害者）won’t______our apology. We all like to ______ourselves as good people-kind, and considerate people. For these ______, an apology can be very difficult to give.

Given my experience, there is no ______ that an apology is an important tool for ______ a relationship to make it functional again. Usually, a（n） _______apology is needed. But if the victim is angry at the wrong behavior, it may be more ______ to wait, because their______ may stop them from accepting our apologies. Also a delay ______ an apology’s effectiveness because it conveys that the offender has time to reflect on his/her ______ . But a heartfelt apology has more powerful effects, which can improve our mental health and repair our ______ personal relationships. ______ , expressing regret is important. Without regret, you won’t truly reflect on your mistake.

My friend and I get on well after my delayed apology. Admitting that everything had been my fault ________us heal our relationship. We’re both ______to have our friendship today.

Silence is important for learning. I got it from my fourteen-month-old daughter Arielle.

One day, she sat on the floor with an old baby doll. Without buttons, it could neither _______ nor play music. The whole room was silent. Then Arielle began to explore the baby doll. When her hand touched a tiny _______ . she used one finger to trace(勾画)its shape. Then she _______ one of her own ears and then both ears. She kept tracing the doll’s ear and her own a few more times until, _______ , she turned her attention elsewhere.

At that moment I discovered how human _______ took place. Something stimulated Arielle’s _______ : Is her body like her doll’s? With no outside stimulation, she satisfied her curiosity by comparing the doll’s body and herself. _______ , for many kids, experiences like Arielle’s are less and less frequent _______ children are surrounded by those so-called _______ toys which can talk and move at the push of a button. This ________ them to push buttons repeatedly without thinking and may rob(剥夺)children of opportunities to solve problems.

Like adults, children need time that is ________ to experience the difference between just reacting to outside stimulation and ________ their own ideas by exploring the world.

Indeed, the toys most likely to encourage creative play are not those that make ________ or have lots of unnecessary functions. ________ , they are simple, quiet and can be used in lots of different ways. So next time, when ________ what to buy your child, make a wise choice.