TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS

Aries (March 21-April 19):

Situations are not stressful in their own right. It is our assessment and interpretation that drives the stress levels we experience. Thought of the day: There is always another interpretation. Taurus (April 20-May 20): The bigger picture will not be served if you change the rules for every individual request. Stick to the rules and the structures today. If you make an exception for one person, then you’ll have to make it for all people. Gemini (May 21-June 21): Sacrifice is always the necessary trade for things of value — no sacrifice, no value. Instant gratification isn’t free. It will be paid for eventually. Oddly enough, those who get used to sacrifice begin to actually enjoy it. Cancer (June 22-July 22): Human beings behave irrationally. This is the rule, not the exception. A lot of time and energy get wasted complaining about irrational things other humans do. Conserve your energy by expecting surprising problems. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22): You’ll come up with a plan. They won’t all like it. Some, in fact, would rally against it if they knew what it was. So, it’s a good thing they don’t. Keep it like that for a while. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): If you set out on the journey ill-prepared and unsure, you’ll be beginning the way most beginners do. This is the magic (and fun!) of being a beginner — inadequate means and imperfect odds of success. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23): When you find yourself arguing with the basic tenants of society Nobel Prize-winning scientist James D. Watson is 90. Composer-conductor Andre Previn is 89. Actor Billy Dee Williams is 81. Actor Roy Thinnes is 80. Movie director Barry Levinson is 76. Actor John Ratzenberger is 71. Actress Patrika Darbo is 70. Baseball Hall of Famer Bert Blyleven is 67. Actress Marilu Henner is 66. Olympic bronze medal figure skater Janet Lynn is 65. Actor Michael Rooker is 63. Former U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., is 62. Rock musician Warren Haynes is 58. Rock singer-musician Frank Black is 53. Actress Ari Meyers is 49. Actor Paul Rudd is 49. Actor-producer Jason Hervey is 46. Rock musician Markku Lappalainen is 45. Actor Zach Braff is 43. Actor Joel Garland is 43. Actress Candace Cameron Bure is 42. Actor Teddy Sears is 41. Jazz and rhythm-and-blues musician Robert Glasper is 40. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 21): There are those who know exactly what they want, and they are very likely to get it. Though what happens after that may be that they want something else. After all, states of satisfaction can only last so long. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): You’ll hear from an old friend. You might be surprised by different people’s trajectories, and they might be surprised about yours. Surprise can be life affirming. There is always more to know. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): “Would you?” is a very different question from “will you?” And while you’ll gather some interesting information from the “would you?” question, all that matters in the end is the “will you?” question. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): One behavior will not suit all outcomes. For instance, what you do to create trust is different from what you do to elicit desire. Decide on what you want to accomplish and work backward. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20): When people are doing a certain thing to fit in with the environment and you don’t feel compelled to do the same thing, consider the very fun, adventurous possibility that you might be better suited to a different environment. Today’s birthday (April 6): The solar return has so many gifts for you — a new way of thinking, a better place to work and a chance to make a difference in the world. Family bands together for a common cause. Your investment in another person will prove to be the best way to learn and grow. Your curiosity will lead to a beautiful alliance. Gemini and Capricorn adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 4, 40, 22, 11 and 9.