We live in a world filled with beliefs, values, and negative paradigms. We all grew up with defined set of family and cultural values; where we were raised to believe that what our parents and relatives said about us and our capabilities was "truth". Often times, we never questioned those beliefs and paradigms.

Think back to your childhood days, do you remember hearing conversations from your parents about limited money, limited opportunities, and limited choices in life? Did those conversations make an impression upon you? How much of what your family said still lives inside your mind today?

Substantial research has been done to show that those beliefs, values, and negative paradigms we were raised with drastically influence how we function to this very day. Those values so frequently impressed upon your mind as a child reside deep within your consciousness,and it is these very same values that can corrode your thought processes and prevent you from achieving your dreams and living to your fullest potential.

It has been estimated that the mind takes in over 50,000 pieces of stimuli a day, but can only process about 5000 pieces of information. How much of that information that your mind processes is positive, life affirming, and promotes your greatest self?

Take a little test and find out what happens with your mind for one day: For an entire day, write down all of the thoughts that go through your mind. Do not leave out any thoughts, and be sure to document them all day. At the end of the day go down the list and mark them as positive and negative. How many of those hundreds of thoughts you wrote down, were actually truly positive, affirming, and promoted your greatest self?

This exercise is one of the most enlightening exercises on self awareness and the mind. How can you possibly achieve your highest potential when your mind constantly negates you and your life?

The journey to achieving your highest potential, and fulfilling your dreams begins with self awareness. Awareness of the constant barrage of mental "thoughts", and an awareness of those long-held beliefs and values regarding you, your capabilities, and what the world has to offer you. When you begin to realize the falsity and negativity of many of your thoughts and beliefs, then you truly can begin to reach your greatest self.

Dr. Conner is the President and Director of the Maya Center for Integrated Medicine & Research in Shelburne Vermont; a health and wellness center focused on providing comprehensive traditional and complementary services while encouraging individual healing through self care. Dr. Conner is an Associate Professor of Clinical Research at Dartmouth Medical School, Department of Community & Family Medicine. Through the use of mind-body-spirit skills, techniques, and the power of the mind, she has taught others to heal their illnesses, achieve their optimum health, and to manifest their highest self. Dr. Conner is the author of the Dream Program: Achieving Your Highest Potential- a 16 week personal development program aimed at teaching the skills to create your most magnificent self. For more information go on the Dream Program: Achieving Your Highest Potential go to: http://www.mayaintegratedmedicine.org