Daily Camera (Boulder)

Last word on astrology

- Andrews Mcmeel Syndicatio­n — Confused AMY DICKINSON — Angry Widow Contact Amy Dickinson via email, askamy@tribpub.com.

Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021 Happy Birthday: Keep in mind who you are dealing with this year and how best to use your skills, knowledge and insight to reach your goal. It will take your undivided attention and willingnes­s to adapt to the changes taking place if you want to come out ahead. Dig deep, analyze and make adjustment­s that will help you maintain your position. Your numbers are 7, 18, 24, 26, 35, 39, 44.

Aries (March 21-April 19): Pay close attention to what’s going on around you. Distance yourself from situations that appear risky, manipulati­ve or underhande­d. Don’t let anyone rope you into spending more than you can afford or taking on responsibi­lities that don’t belong to you. 666

Taurus (April 20-May 20): Make a sound decision, not a snap decision. Indecisive­ness regarding your work, position, status or what to do with your life will result in confusion and worry. Time is on your side; explore your options, and don’t feel pressured to act prematurel­y. 666

Gemini (May 21-June 20): Listen carefully, take notes and ask questions. What you learn today will help you get ahead in life, love or at work. Your sensitivit­y toward others will help you pick up additional informatio­n that will be valuable when negotiatin­g. 6666

Cancer (June 21-July 22): Reach out to people who share your beliefs and interests. The relationsh­ips you form will encourage you to use your imaginatio­n more and to focus on new possibilit­ies. Accept the inevitable, and refuse to let anyone get in your way. 6666

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22): An offer will have a hidden agenda. Go over the fine print, make adjustment­s and refuse to let anyone cause problems for you at work. Protect your reputation, use your intelligen­ce and be prepared for whatever comes your way. Don’t overspend. 66

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): A change of pace will give you a chance to evaluate a confusing situation. A partnershi­p will encourage you to look at the positive, deal with the negative and proceed with confidence. Trust your instincts. Romance is favored. 66666

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Trust what you know, despite opposition. Work you can do from home will give insight into an alternativ­e way to earn more money. Check out your options. Be clear about the way you feel and what you intend to do. 666

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): A problem with a colleague, friend or relative will surface if you procrastin­ate or change your mind. Be careful how you approach situations that depend on others. Use diplomacy and persuasion to get your way. 666

Sagittariu­s (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Keep your life simple. Avoid overspendi­ng and excessiven­ess. Don’t believe or trust someone who is vague or too compliment­ary. Consider making a lifestyle change that incorporat­es better health, moderation and educationa­l pursuits that can help you get ahead. 66666

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Set reasonable goals, and stick to your plans. Refuse to let trivial matters interfere. Anger will take away from what you are trying to accomplish. Set high standards, and focus on getting results. Personal change is worth considerin­g. 66

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Speak up, and share your thoughts and intentions. Don’t fold under pressure or make an abrupt change because someone else does. Follow your heart, do your own thing and refuse to let anyone get in your way. Use charm to get your way. 6666

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20): Let go of the past. Take care of your health and physical wellbeing. Don’t take unnecessar­y risks or make hasty decisions that might result in illness or injury. Put your energy where it counts most and will bring you the highest returns. 666

By Thomas Joseph

Dear Amy: Iama26year-old woman in a “friends with benefits” relationsh­ip with “Paul” (age 28).

Paul and I had clearly agreed on casual sex and a no-strings-attached formula, but it seems like I have fallen for him.

He is the perfect man I had always imagined my par tner to be.

I think he also has feelings for me, but maybe he is too scared to show his affection and to tell me how he really feels. He often talks about how much he likes me and at the same time brings up his other love interests. This puts me in a ver y confused state.

I do not know if he loves me or is just playing games with me. How do I know if this man really loves me?

Dear Confused: Your question illustrate­s the idea that — for some people — expressing honesty and emotional intimacy seems to be more challengin­g than tolerating the uncer tainty and other related risks of having casual sex.

The stor yline that you and “Paul” are currently enacting is age-old. It is the stuff of rom-coms and romance novels (“Bridgerton,” anyone?).

If you are bold enough, you could under take the developmen­tal experience of jumping of f the emotional clif f by simply telling the truth. After doing so, you will inspire either a delightful and surprising expression of same, an upsetting (but brief) confession your feelings are not reciprocat­ed, or an expression of a muddled in-between where he tells you that he just doesn’t know how he feels.

Telling the truth about your own emotions is lovely and liberating, as long as you understand fully that cannot control the outcome.

No matter what Paul says in response, pay attention to what he does. Because sex does not automatica­lly translate into love, you should obser ve whether he wants to spend time with you doing non-sexual things: Walks, talks, coffee dates, watching movies. If he doesn’t choose non-sexual friendship and companions­hip, you have your answer.

Dear Amy: After my husband’s recent unexpected death, I learned about his longtime af fair with a coworker (conducted while they traveled for work).

I found emails, letters, and enough proof to want to make any spouse beyond angry. I am struggling with dealing with grief and anger at the same time.

Should I tell my adult children about their father, or take this secret with me to the grave?

Dear Angry: You are experienci­ng the earlier cycles of grief, compounded by your understand­able anger regarding your husband’s af fair.

You see this as an either/ or: Tell, or take this secret to the grave.

However, when you have just experience­d a huge loss, the wisest thing to do is to … wait. If possible, you should wait several months to make any huge decisions. What you choose to do during these earlier days will help set the course for the rest of your life.

For now, table your decision about disclosing this to your children. Remember they are grieving, too. I believe you will eventually want to tell them about this, but if you do this later, you will be much more intentiona­l, calmer, and more emotionall­y available to help your children through their reactions.

I urge you to seek grief counseling. Although hospice organizati­ons offer grief groups, because your grief is complicate­d by betrayal, you should seek individual counseling. You would definitely benefit from disclosing this to a profession­al, and sorting through your own feelings of both loss and anger.

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Universal Press Syndicate
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