Purses and wallets usually contain credit cards, money, and identification—these are important. In fact, they're society's evidence of who you are. Keys open your door, start your car, and allow you entrance to your home and office. Briefcases typically contain papers related to work. In some ways, these things define you. They're your personal possessions—yours, alone. Therefore, says Gayle Delaney, this dream can occur among women whose children have recently left home. Typically, they also occur among men who have retired or who have been fired from their jobs.

Categorize three of your recurring dreams under broad topic headings like the ones presented in this chapter. Then define what these symbols mean to you in your waking life. Do the definitions fit the dreams?

If these are recent dreams and you've recorded them in your journal, read them over. Note what was going on in your life at the time. Then interpret the dreams. Record the following:

• Broad categories and meanings

• Events in your life at the time of these dreams

• Your interpretation of the dreams

If you're constantly losing things or even being late for appointments, chances are you know full well that you need to get your priorities in order. Sometimes, when we don't want to deal with these things head-on, they come full force into our dreams. Losing personal objects in dreams indicates a lack of dedication to your responsibilities. When you don't feel like you have control over the things that are important, it gets translated—showing up in your dreams as the loss of personal possessions.

Another factor may be that in your waking life, you feel like you're not taking care of your financial obligations. The loss of a purse or a wallet in dreams sometimes indicates how you feel about your monetary situation. Closely examine what you're taking care of and what you're not. Most likely, you'll come up with the solution quickly.