FEATURES
6A
Time to forgive brother
Dear Annie: I had a falling out
with my elder brother.
It happened when the whole
family had gotten together for
Thanksgiving dinner. My hus-
band, Kurt, had been laid off about
a month prior and hadn’t yet found
a new job. My brother kept telling
Kurt what he “should” do and how
no company would want him if he
were to be unemployed for too long.
Kurt was polite through the unsolic-
ited career counseling session.
After dinner, we quickly excused
ourselves and went to the other room
to play with my niece. At one point,
Kurt went to use the bathroom and
overheard my brother telling my
dad that he doesn’t think Kurt has
any ambition. Kurt whispered the
incident to me, and I lipped.
I was livid with my brother. I told
him that he did not have the right to
judge anyone and that he was being
a total and complete jerk. We left,
and I haven’t spoken to my dad or
brother since.
However, none of this had any-
thing to do with my sister-in-law
or niece (my brother’s daughter). I
miss her, and I’d like to be around
my niece more often. I feel stuck.
I don’t want to put her in an awk-
ward situation, but I also don’t want
her to think that I am angry with her
Dear Annie
By
Annie
Lane
Creators
Syndicate
Inc.
or that she is part of this turmoil.
— Sister-in-Limbo
Dear Sister: Blood runs thicker
than water. It’s wonderful you value
your relationship with your sister-
in-law, but your relationship with
your brother is even more import-
ant. Imagine how regretful you’d be
if something happened to him and
you’d left things on a sour note. It’s
time for you two to reconcile. Find
a middle ground; perhaps agree to
disagree about Kurt’s job situation.
Though you’re the little sister, you’ll
have to be the bigger person.
Dear Annie: I got good grades in
high school to get into a good college.
While in college, I did internships over
the summer to get a job after college.
At my irst job after college, I did
well enough to get promoted.
I got promoted so that I could get
into graduate school.
I did well in graduate school to
get a better job after graduation.
I did well enough in that job to
get promoted.
Now what?
I am 33 years old and have
always had a carrot in front of me.
Now I feel as though there is no
direct, linear path. It used to be, “Do
well here to get there.” Now I feel as
if there are no paths. It’s wide-open.
My career is important to me,
but I am not sure what to do. I could
switch jobs, but after the novelty
of the new gig wears off, I will be
back to where I am today. I could
start my own company but am not
sure that’s exactly what I want to do.
People talk about inding meaning
and being happy, and I want those
things but just feel so lost. I wish
there were another carrot to go after.
— Thirty-three and Floundering
Dear Thirty-three: Pause. Soak
in all you’ve accomplished — great
grades, jobs, promotions, a mas-
ter’s degree — and all the great
experiences you’ve had so far. For-
give yourself for not having all the
answers. Practice mindfulness med-
itation. Learn to embrace the joy of
just being.
As John Lennon put it, “Life is
what happens to you while you’re
busy making other plans.”
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • MONDAY, JULY 11, 2016
Tomorrow’s horoscope
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). Simplicity and
economy will get you in shape for the battle
ahead. In other words, it’s time to get lean
and mean with your project so you’ll have the
strength and resources to do well.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Is this a time of
want or a time of plenty? The fact is that you
do have plenty, but it’s not plenty of what you
really want. Shed what you don’t need and rid
yourself of dependencies.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You are socially
susceptible in the best possible way. When
you see a person doing good, you immedi-
ately adopt the same behavior. When you
encounter a fault in another, you immediately
examine and eradicate your own.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). You had one
way to accomplish things, and now the big-
ger, better tools give you several ways. Is your
work going to be better because of this? It’s
doubtful, at least at first. But as you learn,
things will get better. Be patient.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). There’s a reason
you’re in the place where you are. The peo-
ple around you need you. You won’t be able
to help or see all whom you wish to connect
with, but don’t let that discourage you from
touching the ones you can reach.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). There is no way
to be perfect at the job you’re doing, but there
are a million ways to be good at it. Stop wor-
rying so much, and commit to doing your best
with each small task.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). This is a day
when it behooves you to quietly maintain your
own privacy. Reveal nothing, be cautious in
what you say and don’t even think about post-
ing pictures to social media of your where-
abouts or your meals.
FRANK AND ERNEST
BLONDIE
THATABABY
SALLY FORTH
PHOEBE AND HER UNICORN
B.C.
LOLA
DILBERT
SIX CHIX
BIZARRO
MUTTS
NON SEQUITUR
BABY BLUES
WIZARD OF ID
ZITS
ROSE IS ROSE
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). It is amazing
how many will take a pious stand, judging the
others for not believing or behaving as they
do, meanwhile not even bothering to uphold
the basic values of honesty, decency and
common sense.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You’re
so ambitious right now that there is simply no
way you’ll have the time, energy or resources
to do everything you want to. Make a list and
prioritize it. Planning will be the key to your
success.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Of course
winning is important to you, but try not to lose
sight of what really matters — the usefulness
and help you provide others. If you make even
one person’s life easier today, you’ve won.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). There are
those who naturally fall within the bell curve
of normal behavior, and there are those who
have to work hard to fit in. Be kind to those in
the second category, as you’ll be their guide
and solace today.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You’ve an
open mind and a lot of compassion for the
quiet thinkers around you. You’re in this cate-
gory, too, today, doing the invisible work that
is every bit as hard as the work that makes
one sweat.
TUESDAY’S BIRTHDAY (July 12). Your
year starts with the excitement of being
adored. Can you take this much attention?
You’ll find out in the weeks to come as it will
continue being heaped upon you. There’s a
promotion in September and an expansion
to your domestic scene in November. An in-
vestment made in January will pay well in five
years. Libra and Leo adore you. Your lucky
numbers are: 7, 13, 28, 1 and 40.