Fear of the unknown could prompt you to stick with the tried and trusted. Unfortunately, your best opportunities require you take a risk. If the thought of venturing into the unknown terrifies you, confront your anxieties head on. Write a description of the worst case scenario. Be as dramatic and descriptive as possible. After you've exhausted all of the terrible possibilities, read what you've written. You'll see you're blowing things out of proportion.

A legal battle could break out over an inheritance, insurance payment, or tax refund. This really upsets your equilibrium, as you were depending on this money to pay some bills. A love affair could also show signs of strain. It's possible your friends don't approve of your amour. You must decide what is more important: satisfying your needs or pleasing the rest of the world. Consider whether a steamy sex life is clouding your judgment. Stranger things have happened.

You have a wonderful opportunity to push your agenda between now and the end of the month. Go ahead and ask for a raise, promote a pet project, or launch an advertising campaign. Resist the temptation to override an authority figure's decision. While you are convinced your way is better, you could do irreparable damage to your reputation by being insubordinate. Let your boss make a mistake, and be ready to fix it.

Dissatisfaction with work conditions could prompt you to quit in a huff. Before you do something rash, consider how your actions will affect future employment opportunities. It may be better to take the high road and give an appropriate amount of notice. You can just as easily set off on an exotic escape two weeks from now. The important thing is to end things on a positive note with your employer. Getting a good reference is more important than you think.

A romantic disappointment could rock your world. It's possible you thought your ex was really your soul mate. Resist the urge to pursue this person no matter what kind of agony you are experiencing. Getting back together will only compound the problem. Reach out to sympathetic friends who can talk you through the break up process. If a child gets into trouble, count to ten before reacting. An angry outburst could destroy their fragile ego. Remember, you are the adult here.

What you consider to be nurturing behaviour may be interpreted as smothering. Give a business or romantic partner some breathing room. When someone comes to you with a problem, your impulse is to fix it. Sometimes, though, it's more important to let this person grieve. Turn your attention to a public relations matter which could damage your employer's reputation. Your words could turn the tide back in your company's favour. It's all a matter of being sensitive to public opinion.

Just because someone is interested in certain types of books, movies, or television shows doesn't mean he or she is a total ignoramus. Try not to jump to conclusions about a person's intellectual abilities. It may turn out he or she is incredibly well educated or accomplished. A colleague's angry outburst could really ruin the morale at work. The rest of the group may feel compelled to turn this person into a social pariah. Take a neutral stance.

Keep in mind the amount of money you have in the bank is no reflection of your personal worth. These days, it's easy to fall into the trap of confusing commodities with virtue. A child or lover's desire for a more opulent lifestyle could make you feel guilty about your income. Alternatively, you may feel an impulse to buy someone's affection. Stop and think before you go shopping. The best way to fill an emotional void is by being of service to others.

You could promise something you'll discover is impossible to deliver, leaving you with egg on your face. The only thing you can do in this situation is issue an immediate and sincere apology. If you've let a relative down, be prepared for an angry confrontation. This person may have put their reputation on the line for you. If that's the case, you need to examine your people pleasing instincts. Most of the time, it's better to be truthful than placating.

Be careful not to take advantage of a neighbour or sibling's generosity. This person may insist it's perfectly fine for you to borrow their equipment, use their home as hotel, or treat a loan as a gift, but the truth is quite different. Do your best to repay your debts, even if it means making personal sacrifices. If you're forced to decide between paying a credit card bill and reimbursing a friend, make restitution to the friend.

Breaking an appointment may not seem like a big deal to you, but it is to your friend. Make every effort to meet this person for a drink, appear at their birthday party, or attend their performance. You tend to be more detached from relationships than most other people. This can create tremendous understandings today. It may be necessary to turn down tickets for a once in a lifetime event in order to accommodate your loved one.

Buying an expensive status symbol could blow up in your face. People may not think highly of you if you seem to be enjoying lavish wealth whilst everybody else is struggling. Consider the impact your appearance will have on the public. It may be best to dress down to fit in with the crowd, even if you have more money than everybody else. Take an employer's promises with a pinch of salt. There's little hope this pledge will come true.