One day, I tried out for（参加……选拔）the school volleyball team, but I _________ it. I felt upset and I didn’t want to talk to _________. My mother didn’t know how to _________ my terrible mood. She was very _________ and she sent me to visit my uncle.

My uncle welcomed me at his home. Over dinner, he gave me some good _________ and said, “Tommy, I’m _________ of you for trying out for the team though you didn’t make it. Do you know what I do? Every year, I make a(n) _________ to try one new thing—like a new sport, a new book, or a new hobby. Trying new things helps you _________ up.

It sounded interesting. I decided to try his advice that day. I _________ a different route（路线）to go home first. On the way, I saw some __________ playing baseball. I thought about __________ my uncle said. I walked to the boys, and soon I was playing with __________ and having fun. From then on, I played __________ them every week.

A year later, I made the school baseball team. And I’m __________ having fun playing baseball with those boys every week. I found this happiness __________ I tried something new.

Ring! Ring! Ring! It was early in the morning, and I knew who was calling as I reached for the telephone. I was a new substitute teacher (代课教师) trying to earn enough money to ________ my family. Each morning, I ________ a call that would take me to a different classroom. The last three classes had all tested me by having bad behavior. I responded by being critical (批评的) and angry with the students. However, I didn’t really want to go to work that morning, especially since it was my birthday.

Still, I answered the phone and ________ the job. My family needed the money and I couldn’t be picky. As I was driving to work, I decided to try ________ to be the best teacher that I could be.

As the class started, the students once again tried to see what bad behavior they could ________. This time, though, I was strict but fair with them. I did my best ________ my lessons fun. I shared smiles, praised their efforts, and encouraged them to work hard.

The results were ________. My unruly (不守规矩的) classroom soon ________. Students were laughing and learning and I finally felt like I was doing my job right. I went home feeling ________ in my heart and enjoyed the rest of my birthday with my family.

I remembered something that I once read: “Every day is a new opportunity to begin again. Every day is your birthday.” Every day is a ________ for us to get things right and to live our lives with love and joy. Don’t waste a single day.

One Friday morning, I booked (预订) an Uber car to the train station. When the car arrived, I just saw the car number and got in. “Please be ________. I need to get to the train station in an hour.” I said.

The driver said, “Yes, madam.”

I was surprised when I heard a woman’s voice. The ________ was a young woman! I travelled in Uber cars for hundreds of times, but I never saw a ________ driver in India. In India, many people may think that it’s dangerous for women to drive Uber cars. So I ________ to know more about my driver. “If you don’t ________, can I ask you some questions?” I asked.

“Yes, madam.”

“Are you well-educated?”

“Yes. I have just got my MBA.”

“Wow! So why did you choose this ________?”

She smiled and said, “________ is my interest. No job is too small. I ________ want a job which can give me real happiness.” About 20 minutes later, I ________. I said thank you to her. I really enjoyed the ride and learned something ________ from the young woman.