If I had to describe my personality, one word that I would definitely use is "cautious". I have my own comfort zone and venturing outside of it is very anxiety-provoking for me. Nobody likes getting hurt or making mistakes but for me, it's incredibly stressful. Just like my zodiac sign, the crab, Cancer, at the very sign of discomfort or stress, I retreat quickly back into my safe, protective shell.

However, upcoming events this summer are forcing me to step out of my shell. There are some things that I would never do if I had the choice but I have to because of loyalty and commitment to friends. If I told you what these events are, you would probably laugh at me because they are so insignificant to the normal, confident person. I am most likely making a moutain out of a mole hill but it's uncomfortable, nonetheless.

As if a sign from the stars, today's horoscope said this: Realize that you may be putting certain restrictions on your life without really even knowing it, Elsielyn. It could be that you have said no to people in certain situations and now they are simply not asking you anymore. Perhaps your hermit-like attitude is starting to wear on people so they don't even bother trying to get in touch with you. You will sink further into the background unless you take conscious steps to turn this trend around. There is an element of truth to this, I think. If I don't start taking chances and start stepping out of my comfort zone, I think that my life would be lacking sorely. Maybe I need to try more things and take more risks so that I can grow more as a person. I don't want to be this naive, ignorant 27 year-old teacher without much life experience to pass onto her students. Maybe I need to shift my paradigm and not think of it as stepping outside of my comfort zone but rather, simply expanding it.

It will take some effort but I will try to venture out of my crab shell. I mean, everytime I looked back on my past experiences, a lot of things that I dreaded doing because I was afraid of doing it, didn't turn out too badly in the end.

Is it not ironic at all that I am allergic to crab??? Hmm.. go figure.