Itwas a rainy day. I was riding on a bus downtown to go to work.With thedepressing weather，everyoneon the bus was in a bad1. I was sitting next to a man in abusiness suit and didn't pay much attention until we both got off at the same2 and walked to the same newsstand to get a morning paper.
Theman 3 the stand was obviously having a bad day.He was 4and unsmiling as we purchased our papers，whichonly 5 more gloom to my day.The businessman caught my 6.He，smiling brightly，7 the newsstand owner forbeing 8 on such a morning to make sure we were able to get ourpapers.In short，heexpressed his 9 for something most of us would take for granted.
Theman running the newsstand 10 only with an unfriendly expression.Thebusinessman then 11 him a pleasant day.As we turned away，I asked this man why he continued tobe pleasant 12the newsman obviously didn't care about hisexpression of appreciation and 13.The businessman smiled at me，saying，“Whywould I let someone else 14 what I say or what kind of day I'm goingto have？”
Wethen separated and 15 our work places.I never saw that businessmanagain，eventhough I looked for him on the bus on other days.He appeared 16 inmy life and disappeared just as quickly.But I've never forgotten the 17he said or the way he or the way he smiled on a 18day.
Wecannot control people and situations that come to us，but we can always control our responseto them.And in such 19 decisions lie our control and personal powerto make a positive difference，whichcan 20 both the present and the future.
