THE DAILY ASTORIAN • FRIDAY, JULY 27, 2018
FEATURES
TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE
Feeling shame over relationship
Dear Annie: I am seek- answer his calls. I finally sent
ing your advice about some- him a text, told him I was well
thing that has been troubling me. and wished him well. He asked
My faith has always been very why I did not want to talk to him.
important to me. I have strong I told him that I was very busy
moral values, and I don’t believe and that when he called, I was
in having a sexual relationship not always where I could talk,
outside of marriage. So
which was true. How
DEAR
I am deeply ashamed
can I put this behind
about a relationship I
me? I haven’t seen this
ANNIE
had with a man to whom
man since I quit talking
I am not married. This
to him.
man had some problems
I’ve become so
that made intimacy diffi-
depressed about this
cult, which was a bless-
that I have just stayed in
ing in itself. The relation-
except to do necessary
ship didn’t last long, and
things. I’ve experienced
Lane
it mostly just consisted Annie
panic attacks. I have
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
of telephone conversa-
spent most of my time
tions. Still, the fact that
involved in church activ-
I allowed myself to enter into a ities and doing volunteer work.
relationship of this type haunts I don’t think I have agorapho-
me. I have prayed repeatedly bia; rather, I’m so ashamed that I
about this, but I am having diffi- have retreated. I love people and
culty forgiving myself.
doing for others. I am on an anti-
What can I do to be at peace depressant, and I do have some-
about this? I cannot talk to my thing to take for panic attacks. —
minister about this. I do not I Knew Better
Dear Knew Better: I
have contact with this man. He
would call quite often to check applaud you for seeking pro-
on me. I reached the decision fessional help, and I encour-
that I should not have telephone age you to keep taking medica-
conversations with him. A few tion as directed by your doctor.
weeks ago, he called every day But medication is only one part
for about a week, and I did not of the equation. You should also
be seeing a licensed therapist,
someone who can help you talk
about what you’re feeling and
help you move past the shame.
Ask your doctor to refer you to
someone, or search Psychology
Today’s database at https://www.
psychologytoday.com/us/ther-
apists. Be prepared to try a few
different therapists to find one
with whom you really click.
And please stop being so hard
on yourself. You seem like a
warmhearted person who values
kindness. Try to show yourself
the same compassion you would
show anyone else.
Dear Annie: Why are we
saying 2018 as “two thousand
eighteen” instead of “twenty
eighteen”? We didn’t say “one
thousand nine hundred eigh-
teen.” And it’s much easier to
say “twenty eighteen.” This bugs
me and my adult son. Care to
comment? — Curious
Dear Curious: This is one
question for which I have no
answer. If I hear a compelling
explanation, I’ll print it here.
In the meantime, I see no rea-
son you can’t be the change you
want to see. Pronounce it how
you’d like, and others may fol-
low suit.
3C
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). Your intuition is
spot on today — not because you can see
the future but because you can make the
future. You’ve a sense about what’s possible
and how much work it will take. You do it until
it’s done.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). A weak teacher
will tell you that the reason you didn’t succeed
in the class is that you didn’t work hard
enough. A strong teacher makes you want to
work hard; a strong teacher considers your
success a joint mission.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Even though
you know better than to get “attached to an
outcome,” for better or worse, you’re invested
in what happens next. It just happens that
way when you love something this much.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Life
doesn’t always fall into a lovely pattern; some-
times it has to be forced or puzzled together
into one. Actually, the forcing usually only
works for a short term. Better to toy around
and find something that fits.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). In order to fit into
the group agenda, you might have to com-
promise on your approach, plan or product,
but you shouldn’t have to compromise who
you are.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Every time
you introduce a new variable, things change.
One person alters the whole group, and
indeed every person is the “one” person who
does this. So don’t discount your contribution,
even in very large gatherings.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). You’ll be
invigorated by people working together to
accomplish a common goal, especially if
the goal has something to do with improving
themselves or improving the world through
kindness.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). This is an ex-
cellent time to look at your expenses and cut
the subscriptions and recurring payments that
go to things you don’t really use. It will bring
your finances and more back into balance
without a sense of sacrifice.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Ask yourself the
questions that will help you get clear about
what you want to accomplish. Then the “how”
won’t matter so much. As you focus on the
effect that you want to have, the details work
themselves out.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Even though
your reflexes are superior, you’d rather live
proactively so that you’re not in a reactive po-
sition. Tonight brings a hint that will help with
the mystery you’ve been trying to solve.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). There’s a pleas-
ant (not outrageous or startling) surprise in
this day just for you, a little something to make
your ride smoother and your smile wider.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). To get more
problems, obsess about all the problems you
already have. To get fewer problems, focus on
just one problem and solve it. Then move to
the next.
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
TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (July 28). You
keep creating and making things happen, and
that’s why this year brings four major celebra-
tions of you. October brings special courage,
and you’ll dive into a daring aim — something
you wouldn’t have had the guts or skills for
in the past. You’ll be ready! This will begin a
trajectory you’ll follow through to your next
birthday. Pisces and Aquarius adore you. Your
lucky numbers are: 5, 30, 29, 44 and 12.