Boyfriend Simply May Fear Unknown

Dear Cynthia: My boyfriend and I are moving in together next month. He dreamed that we were driving down a winding road when he realized the brakes wouldn’t work. Is he afraid of the commitment?

JENNIFER, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Dear Reader: Good question and reasonable concern, but your boyfriend’s dream may not be about commitment so much as fear of the unknown. When driving on a winding road (the path of your new life together), it is impossible to see around the bends. He doesn’t know what to expect as you make this lifestyle change. But he has committed to your new arrangement and feels he can’t really stop. These are very normal concerns about the new living arrangement and how it will affect your relationship. He just doesn’t want to lose the good thing he feels he has with you now.

You can reassure him by making your life together even better than your relationship has been so far. If each of you is able to continue separate activities as well as joint ones, you should do fine.

Dear Cynthia: I often dream that one leg is shorter than the other. What do you think that means?

PAUL SCHOWALTER

La Habra Heights

Dear Reader: It could very simply be that you have this dream when something is off balance in your life. Next time you have it, ask yourself: Do you need more rest, more focus, better nutrition, etc.? Then make the necessary changes.

Dear Cynthia: I was injured in a car accident a couple of years ago. I was left with torn cartilage that causes pain. Since the accident I have a recurring dream: Either aliens are grabbing me, or dogs are biting me and not letting go. I sense them near and can hear them breathing.

MARIE, Covina

Dear Reader: Your subconscious struggles to explain the pain you feel. We often incorporate stimuli into our dreams. For example, if the covers fall off while you’re asleep, you may dream of freezing in the snow.

The breathing you hear is probably your own--labored because of the pain. Once you wake and change to a more comfortable position, the dream should stop.

Fax your dreams to Cynthia Richmond at (213) 237-0732 or e-mail them to in.your.dreams@worldnet.att.net. Please include your hometown and a daytime phone number. “In Your Dreams” appears every Tuesday and should be read for entertainment purposes only.