I started my travel business 6 years ago. I didn't have a1 budget, so I simply told everyone I was familiar with my business.2, I had got very few clients.

    Late one evening I received a call from a woman 3 about a cruise she had booked. I didn't 4 her voice so I asked her where she lived. She replied, “Montana.” I told her that I didn't have any clients in Montana and that she must have been 5. “Sir, I have your6 written down right here on my piece of paper,7 I must have booked it with you. Could you recheck it, please?” she 8 responded.9, she had my website but I wasn't her travel agent.

    I 10 her name, phone number and sailing information and told her I would call the cruise line and see 11 I could find out. She greatly 12_ my offer to help. The next day I called to tell her that I found out that one agency did have her 13and gave her its number. The woman was very 14 with the solution. We also talked for a few minutes about her15 and I gave her some tips while on board. She thanked me again and I told her it would be my 16 to help her any time in the future. After a few days, I completely 17 about the encounter.

    Several months later, much to my18 I got a call from the lady's sister from Montana, who wanted to get married on a cruise ship. That's just the beginning of the story. My little 19 to the lady in Montana brought 30 brand new clients! Time will only tell how many new clients will come my way,20 one simple offer.

    My father was a self-taught mandolin player. He was one of the best string instrument players in our town. Dad loved to play the mandolin for his families, who enjoyed listening to his play and1the Tennessee Waltz, Hatbor nights, Silver Bells, and so on. Dad was always there,2his time and efforts to see that his family had3in their life. If he could give pleasure to others, he4especially his families. I had to mature into a man and have children of my own5I realized how much he had sacrificed.

    I 6 the United States Air Force in January of 1962. Whenever I come home on7I would ask Dad to play the mandolin. He could touch your soul with the 8 that came out of that old instrument. He seemed to 9when he was playing you could see his pride in his ability to play so well for his family.

    While working at Todd Steel, Dad was 10in an accident. He got the third index finger of his left hand 11 between two pieces of steel. The doctor who operated12the finger could not save it, and Dad ended up having the tip of the finger13. He didn't lose enough of the finger,14it wouldn't stop him picking up anything, but it did15his ability to play the mandolin.

After the accident, Dad would make16for why he couldn't play. We wore him down and17he said "Okay, but remember, I can't hold down on the strings18I used to".19 for the family it didn't make any 20that Dad couldn't play as well.

    I spent last summer volunteering at a hospital. One morning, I was called to a room in which an 1 woman was staying.2she wanted to go to a nearby gift shop, I got a(n)3 and helped her into it, heading for the shop.

    When we got there, the shop wasn't 4yet. It was merely a 30-minute wait so we went over to the 5 area and I read her bits and pieces of the newspaper aloud. After 30 minutes, we went into the gift shop. Pushing her around, I could see the 6 on her face as she looked at everything. She happily chose some window decorations and then 7chocolates. She asked me to push her8 that direction. I helped her9all the different chocolate arrangements. She 10 decided on three different boxes.

    As she was checking out, she asked the cashier for a 11 and asked me to write the numbers l, 2, and 3 on the boxes. She 12 that the nurses were taking such good care of her, so she 13 chocolates for each of the three shifts of nurses. The moment I wheeled her back up to her room, she gave the 14shift of nurses their box of chocolate, who 15offered some to me before taking some themselves. There were 16 all around.

    17her generosity and getting the opportunity to spend time with someone who got so much pleasure from life was a 18 in itself. Gratitude has an amazing way of bringing people 19 especially in a place where health is so highly20.

    When you're willing to ask for what you want but don't insist on getting it, there are some potential hidden benefits as well. For example, you sometimes 1 the sympathy and generosity in others.

    Several years ago, I arrived in Mumbai very late one evening. 2 having a confirmed reservation, the hotel was overbooked and was 3 people away. The man in front of me was angry and became very 4.

He insisted on getting his way—but there were no 5. He stormed out, defeated and angry. He was totally 6 to the fact that it wasn't the receptionist's 7. It wasn't personal.

I walked up to the receptionist and said8, “I really understand your9 and don't blame you a bit. I would 10 it so much if you would help me. I know you don't have any rooms here, but could you help me find another 11 close by?” I thought it was wise to ask—as long as I didn't 12.

    Hearing my words, she was 13. Remarkably, she said she had some great news, She had completely 14 that fact that one of the guests had to leave in an 15 and wouldn't be back. It turned out the most expensive room! Because I had been so 16, she gave it to me at lower rate.

    The question is, why didn't she 17 this empty room and give it to the angry man in front of me? I think the answer is pretty 18. His insistence pushed her away and may have even 19 to her “forgetfulness”. When I was talking to her, however, she relaxed and felt less 20. Her memory returned and I ended up getting a few hours of much-needed sleep.

    So be sure to ask for what you want, but don't insist on getting it.

    A heart-warming story tells of a woman who finally decided to ask her boss for a raise in salary. All day she felt 1. Late in the afternoon she gathered the 2to approach her employer. To her 3, the boss agreed to a raise.

    The woman arrived home that 4 and saw a beautiful table set with their best dishes. Candles were softly glowing. Her husband had come home early and prepared a festive 5. She wondered if someone from the 6 had told it to him, or... did he just somehow know that she would not get 7?

    She found him in the kitchen and told him the good 8. They hugged and kissed, then sat down to the wonderful meal. Next to her plate the woman 9 a beautifully lettered note. It read, "Congratulations, darling! I knew you'd get the 10! These things will tell you how much I love you."

    Following the supper, her husband went into the kitchen to 11 up. She noticed that a second card had 12 from his pocket. Picking it off the floor, she read, "Don't 13 not getting the raise! You deserve it 14! These things will tell you how much I love you."

    Someone has said that the 15of love is when you love without measure. What this man feels for his wife is total 16 and love, whether she succeeds or 17. His love celebrates her victories and calms her 18. He stands with her, no matter what 19 throws in their direction.

    Upon receiving the Nobel Peace Prize, Mother Teresa said, "What can you do to 20world peace? Go home and love your family." And love your friends. Love them without measure.