You might be more aware of the influence your beliefs have on your life today, and you might recognize that the things you have learned or been brought up to believe could be limiting you in the present. Keeping in mind that it is normal for your past to influence your present thoughts, you might wish to explore the ideas you have that seem biased. Making a list of the beliefs you have about the world that tend to hold you back can help you see a pattern to the underlying principles that affect your life. As you draw up your list, consider where your beliefs came from--you may find that many of them are not necessarily your own--and for each item on your list, think about how you really feel and then challenge the thoughts that seem to control the way you live your life.

Questioning our biases allows us to become more open to new and encouraging ways of thinking. It is often not enough for us to just wish to change our beliefs--we have to actively assess whether or not we need them as well as how they impact us. The act of inquiry, however, lets us dive into what we really hold as true, for so often what we think is part of our belief system in fact comes from our upbringing or cultural traditions. Knowing what is true for you today will make you more receptive to finding greater truth by seeking out new ideas.