From birth, every person needs other human beings. Babies need to be cared for to survive. Their first _________ usually come from parents and brothers or sisters. As children grow up, _________, they spend more time with others. And they may or may not feel connected to the people they see every day. Some people feel different from or rejected by their neighbors, people they work with or even their families. People who don’t feel like they belong often feel _________, even when others are around.

People find different ways to meet their natural desire to _________ a group. Some rely on their families _________ others find communities based on other interests. These can include religious beliefs, shared goals, life experiences or popular culture.

You need others for many _________. Community members can offer advice or practical help when you go through difficult times. You can also grow as a person from helping others. And belonging helps give a sense of meaning as you become part of something bigger than yourself.

So what can you do if you _________ a sense of belonging? The first step will usually be to make a mindful effort to _________ others. You could join groups based on interests you share. Or you could contact an individual with whom you have something in common and decide when to meet up. This may be uncomfortable _________, but as with most things, it becomes easier with practice. Focusing on others more than on yourself may help. Ask questions that show you __________ others’ lives. This will help them feel valued. If you are shy, it will spare you from having to talk about yourself too much.

Finding community requires a(n) __________ to accept others. But it is also important to remain __________ to yourself. If you hide your thoughts and feelings to fit in, you won’t feel like you belong.

Finding a place where you belong may not be easy, but it will help you live a happier life.

Were the birds out on the ice ducks or geese？Cruz，Il，and Anthony，10，couldn't agree. To find out, on a(n)41 January evening，the two friends took a risk onto the frozen pond near their homes in Frankfort，Illinois to get a better 42.Fintheythrew a rock onto the ice to test it，Cruz told NBC 5."Then we 43 on it" Finally，44 that the ice would hold their weight，Anthony took a few steps，then..He fell through the seemingly frozen surface."There was no sound，no crack，I just fell through 45，"recalled Anthony.

Seeing this and realizing time means life，Cruz 46 to help. But out of his 47，the pond swallowed him too.

Luckily，Cruz 48 to lift himself out of the cold water and onto a safer section. He then 49 worked his way toward Antony. But the ice didn't 50 his weight，and he fen in 51.This time，he couldn't get out.

The boys were up to their 52 in cold water and quickly losing feeling in their limbs.

There was a 53 chance of saving themselves. Cruz was sure he was going to die.

Anthony’s   sister had seen the boys fall through the ice，and she 54 for help.

John，a neighbor 55 nearby to the grocery store，heard her. He parked at once. Seeing the boys，he 56 his shoes and ran in to the icy water，cutting his way 57 the ice with his free fist.

John made his way to Cruz and Anthony and pulled them back to land.58，they were taken to the hospital，and the five-minute stay in the water had lowered their body temperature 59 nearly ten degrees.

The boys have now fully recovered，60 still a little frightened from the accident.

Impressed by the fearless neighbor，Cruz says，“could have died without John. He is my super hero.”

“Come on, Cindy!” Darcy sounded so impatient, “We’ll be late for class.”

“Darcy, I can’t find my ________.” I dropped my book bag to dig through my coat pockets. “My money was in it.”

“Someone took it.” Darcy said. As usual, she was quick to point away from the ________ side of things. “Oh. I’m sure I just misplaced it.” I hoped. Even though we were best friends, Darcy and I were just so ________.

We rushed into class. Darcy ________ the news about the theft. By last period in gym class, I was ________ of having to say over and over again, “I’m sure I just left it at home.”

After gym, we went into the locker room. I was changing ________ I heard a gasp from Darcy. I looked at her and found her face was white with ________. There, at her feet, was my wallet.

“It fell out of her locker!” Darcy pointed at Juanita, a “new girl” in our class. “She ________ it.”

Everyone began to ________ Juanita at once.

“Darcy caught her red-handed.”

“Report her!”

I looked over at Juanita. She picked up the wallet and held it out to me. Her hands were ________. “I found it in the parking lot. I was going to give it to you.”

Darcy spit the words “I’m so sure!” at her.

“Really, it’s true.” Juanita’s eyes began to fill with tears.

I ________ for my wallet. I didn’t know what to think, ________ when I looked over at Darcy, her attitude made me sick inside. I looked at Juanita. She was scared but looked ________. I knew I held her ________ in my hands.

“I am so glad you found it,” I smiled. “Thanks, Juanita.”

The ________ around us broke.

“Good thing she found it,” everyone but Darcy ________.

“If there is any money left in your wallet.”

“Not now. Darcy!”

“You are so naive!”

It wasn’t until others left there that I opened my wallet.

“It’s all here.” I couldn’t help but feel ________. A folded piece of paper fluttered from my wallet. I opened it to see what it was.

“She just didn’t have time to ________ it yet.”

“Darcy, maybe you spend too much time ________ people.”

Darcy grabbed the note, read it and threw it back at me. “Whatever!” she said and stomped off. I knew that something had ________ between us.

I read the note again.

I found your wallet in the parking lot. Hope nothing is missing.

Juanita

P.S. My phone number is 55-3218. Maybe you could call me sometime.

And I did.