MALAYSIA - TRADITIONALLY, women are the first teachers in a family.

It is the mother who teaches the child the values she upholds. These principles become the foundation for the child's convictions for the rest of his/her life.

It is said that a child learns most of his/her values in the first five years.

A mother imparts her values to her child by example: values are not taught, but caught.

Unless we know who we really are, we cannot effectively change.

We are all spiritual beings and thus equal in value. It is only with this attitude that we can progress.

We will seek solutions to problems, instead of being obsessed with them. With self-esteem and self-confidence, we can face the world with courage.

You should treasure yourself as a unique person.

Do you compare yourself with other people? Do you rank yourself better or worse than others according to your appearance, job, possessions, friends, talents, gender or intelligence?

Most of us focus on our imperfections.

The result of this kind of thinking is to protect ourselves by believing that we?re better than everyone else.

In truth, we are all equally valuable. Let go of your doubts and fears. Repeatedly affirm today that you are unique, that there is no one like you.

Thought for reflection:

If a child gets love at home, then he or she will learn to live in peace with others - By Bridget Menezes, author of Self-Empowerment. Her words of wisdom can also be heard on Lite FM (105.7) from Monday to Thursday at 7.45pm.