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THE DAILY ASTORIAN • MONDAY, JANuARY 21, 2019
Let’s say ‘Yes, I can’
Dear Annie: Here I am, 78 ing another person because of
years old, heading into another the color of his skin or his back-
New Year’s resolution. I’m ground or his religion. People
hoping you will let me share my must learn to hate, and if they
sentiments with your readers.
can learn to hate, they can be
With all the chaos, crazi- taught to love, for love comes
ness and crassness cur-
more naturally to the
rently occurring in our
human heart than its
DEAR
environment, I have
opposite.”
ANNIE
decided to become a
I can do all this. I
drum major for justice,
can see those “thou-
fairness, equality, oppor-
sand points of light.”
tunity and responsibility.
I can be a member
Instead of waiting for
of that “shining city
others, I have decided
upon a hill.” To those
to make it happen for
naysayers and disbe-
myself — and, I hope, ANNIE LANE lievers, I would chal-
Creators
others.
lenge you to look
Syndicate Inc.
For me, no more
in the mirror and
hatred, anger, greed,
become all that you
selfishness, envy or fear. That’s can be. It has been saliently
a tall order, but I can do this. espoused that the most power-
Why not?
ful force in the universe is an
I firmly believe that love idea whose time has come.
I resolve to be kind, gener-
conquers hate, that light over-
comes darkness. I can do it. ous, forgiving and thoughtful
Yes, I can! As Martin Luther of others. Imagine the positivity
King Jr. so eloquently empha- and reciprocity of this possibil-
sized, “darkness cannot drive ity. I know that I can do all this.
out darkness; only light can do I can “talk the talk and walk the
that. Hate cannot drive out hate; walk” when it comes to practic-
ing and implementing this reso-
only love can do that.”
Similarly, I know that hat- lution for 2019 and beyond.
Simply put, as I progress
ing people because they are
“others” and “different” can be through this second decade of
overcome and eradicated if we the 21st century and approach
try. I fully agree with Nelson the eighth decade of my life, I
Mandela: “No one is born hat- can do this for myself — and
for you. In summary, what a
fantastic and fabulous New
Year’s resolution — for 2019
and beyond. — John L. Horton
Dear John: I know this is
printing a bit late in the month,
but your sentiments are so pos-
itive and your positivity so con-
tagious that I couldn’t pass up
sharing your letter with readers.
Thanks for writing. Wishing
you a very blessed rest of 2019.
Dear Annie: Recently,
someone wrote to you about
how someone’s home was
broken into during a family
funeral. The burglars knew no
one would be home because
of the obituary that had been
printed in the paper. Our fam-
ily has a tradition of having
someone in the home of the
deceased during the funeral
to prevent exactly this type of
event. Family lore tells of a
long-lost relative’s showing up
during the funeral and laying
claim to some prized candle-
sticks, saying, “Dad wanted me
to have these.” — Continually
Cautious
Dear Continually Cau-
tious: I commend your cau-
tiousness and lament the cal-
lousness of those who would
try to take advantage of people
vulnerable from bereavement.
Thanks for writing.
TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). You really don’t owe
anyone an explanation, but you may choose to
explain anyway, instead of leaving the story to
people’s imaginations, which can be wild, strange
and unpredictably aimed.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). There are people
who seem to be able to get you to do things you
normally wouldn’t. They seem outside of the rules.
“Morality, like art, means drawing a line someplace.”
— Oscar Wilde
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). To be content with
yourself is the aim here, and one of the best signi-
fiers of success that you could ever have. And the
best part is that if you really wanted to, you could
make it happen in an instant.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Why is it so hard
to believe that what matters to you counts as very
important? Sure, in the big scheme, it may not affect
many, or have life-and-death consequences. But it’s
as important as anyone else’s agenda you know.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Emotional work doesn’t
look like other kinds of work but it can be just as
demanding as physical work, if not more so. Some
people give you emotional work without realizing
it’s what they are doing. Educate them.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You’ve been very
accommodating, and now it’s time to stop and let
others make the effort for a change. If you keep this
up, the pattern will settle with you in the never-end-
ing service position.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). Don’t beat yourself
up because you were not able to do what you told
yourself to do. Be kind. Be curious about yourself.
Self-knowledge takes time. The better you know
yourself, the more effectively you’ll be able to lead
yourself.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). The term “gas-
lighting” refers to when one person manipulates
another into questioning his or her own sanity.
You’re immune to this. You know that everyone sees
things differently and refuse to engage in useless
arguments.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). While technically it’s not
your job to stir up the people and strengthen their
collective spirit, you are the best person for the
task, as you have that special charisma they want to
follow. And this group could really use some unity.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). There’s a situation that,
from the outside, seems privileged and enviable,
but it’s not the case. If anyone can see this, it’s you.
You’re in the unique position to help someone who,
to others, wouldn’t seem to need help.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). There’s a decision hang-
ing in the balance and it should not be made impul-
sively. Hold off. More will be illuminated. When it’s
time, you’ll be absolutely certain of your choice.
TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (Jan. 22). Destiny is a
weaver, and this year’s design is rather intricate. The
success secret is to pay attention to the patterns you
want to repeat and to ignore the ones you don’t.
February brings a windfall. In March, you’ll nourish
the needy and the worthy. In July, you’ll decide for
a group and promote a higher level of existing, too.
Leo and Scorpio adore you. Your lucky numbers are:
49, 24, 3, 10 and 16.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). A trip down memory lane
is featured, and you may be surprised about how
others remember it. No one’s story will be complete-
ly right or wrong. There’s something to be learned
from this discrepancy of vision.
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