Horoscopes

Aries (March 21-April 19): When action meets opportunity, things take off. But without truth, those things can go as fast and far as they want and they will not make a lick of difference. Truth is what will cut through and create change. Taurus (April 20-May 20): You’re game for whatever way the adventure is delivered, and so you’re guaranteed to have one. If they put up a mystery, you’ll sleuth it. If it’s a puzzle, you’ll piece it together. If it’s offered to you on a platter, you’ll eat it. Gemini (May 21-June 21): Competitive people will posture and strut. It might get them some momentary attention — while the true contenders go under the radar to accomplish something meaningful. Cancer (June 22-July 22): The Buddhist figure called Guanyin hears the cries of the world and responds in the manner of a loving mother. Maternal love will come to you today, too, and from surprising sources. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22): Today, the big thing will be confidence. When you have that, you won’t need much else. Of course, getting confidence is no small accomplishment. It will require you to both scrutinize and reward yourself. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): If you like a certain style of doing things, you appreciate all that falls inside that order. The actual results become less important, as you’re more concerned with the manner in which those results are delivered. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23): That humans can behave like wild animals is not news to you. In fact, you’re more impressed by (and skeptical of) longrange domesticity. When loved ones are extremely rational for long stretches, the feral glint is sure to show. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 21): Being very strong in your sense of self, you accept that others are entitled to think and do things differently. And they will. In fact, they’ll surprise you with just how differently they see the world. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Apply the dictates of nature across the board. Leaves change, but change doesn’t leave. You’ll busy yourself with imagining and planning for what’s next. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): The value of hard work goes deep into the human psyche, though smart work is quickly taking the starring position. After all, if you keep your nose to the grindstone for too long, you won’t have a nose. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): There are many layers of lies to cut through before you get to anything you can work with. Even if you ask the right question, the truth won’t be delivered. The truth is somewhere deeper. It’s inside the question behind the question. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20): If no one is on your side, you’ll assume the position of your own best advocate. You’ll have to for survival. If you have a lot of people on your side, you begin to play devil’s advocate. This is a natural product of the luxury of support. DEAR ABBY » I can’t drive. It’s not because I don’t want to, but whenever I sit behind the wheel, I have panic attacks. I’m currently attending therapy for it, and progress is being made, albeit slowly. The problem is, when I try to explain that I suffer from GAD (generalized anxiety disorder), which affects my ability to learn to drive and sometimes just function day to day, I get a raised eyebrow and a “Well you look fine to me.” I feel like I’m in a lose-lose situation when the subject of my disability comes up. I’m not ashamed of it, but it’s frustrating to be regarded as either lazy or a liar because I don’t “look” disabled and I’m not “disabled enough” to apply for disability. How do I handle this?

— Elaine in Colorado

DEAR ELAINE » You look fine because you have what is called a hidden disability. You do not have to discuss it in casual conversation. If someone asks you to drive, explain that you can’t because panic attacks prevent it, but you are “working on getting it resolved.” If someone implies that you are lazy or a liar, reveal that you are in therapy to address it IF YOU CHOOSE. If that doesn’t shut the ignorant person up, keep your distance.

DEAR ABBY » I am a 16-yearold girl who has been having a hard time moving on since I was sexually assaulted. Although it was four years ago, it has conflicted with my current and past relationships because I tell guys I’m not ready for anything like that yet. They know what happened and keep trying to push me to move on from my fear. Please tell me what to do. — Not ready in Idaho

DEAR NOT READY » You are smart not to have allowed yourself to be “persuaded” into doing anything you don’t feel ready for. I’m sorry you didn’t mention whether you received counseling after the assault. If you didn’t, you would benefit from discussing what happened to you with someone trained to help victims of the kind of trauma you have experienced. R.A.I.N.N. (the Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network) can help you to locate a rape treatment center in your area. Either call (800) 656-4673 or go to rainn.org and they will give you the information you need. Please don’t put it off.

DEAR ABBY » You often publish letters from women who are upset that their boyfriends haven’t proposed, sometimes after years of being together. These letters perplex me. We live in a time when women are told they can do anything, be anything. So why are they waiting for some guy to finally pop the question?

My suggestion to them: Ask HIM! And if he waffles or says he isn’t ready to commit, you’ll know there’s probably no use waiting. Then find someone who recognizes you for the awesome person you are and can’t wait to be with you. — Wise Westerner

DEAR WESTERNER » I suspect that more women don’t take the initiative because they are afraid of the response they’ll receive. But you have offered wise advice. Time is precious. It shouldn’t be wasted waiting for a commitment that may never come.

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www. DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.