My view in relation to Cindy Chen, 'Just admit we're racist and correct ourselves' (May 21), and also Greg Lopez, 'Think holistically' (May 22).

We must create a conducive environment for our children to live in.

If we're forever blaming our circumstances for who and what we are, we will never move forward. Think of our children, the future bearers of Jalur Gemilang. It is essential to show our children a portrait of a person who has self-respect if we want it to rub off on them.

If we're (the elders) constantly putting ourselves down, living with low respect and literally demonstrating to our children that we don't think very highly of ourselves, then we're hardly in a position to impart to any child a positive attitude towards other people.

"There is no better answer to a child's negative attitude than a positive example and a prejudiced child is best answered by a tolerant loving person."

If we can see the importance of raising children so that they will grow into highly functioning and self-fulfilled people, we might all be surprised to find that the problems which we have not been able to eradicate such as poverty, hunger, crime, war, pollution, etc., might better be handled by a generation of people who are functioning at a personally masterful level.

Consider the wisdom of optimism!

We can't afford to let emotions continue to hold us back, it is time to wake up. We have to possess a more visionary and creative intelligence that works towards long-term goals rather than constantly seeking short-term gains.

Let us face it with an open mind and eyes wide open. What is needed is a change in the entire intellectual climate; let us work towards changing our attitude - our thoughts, feelings and actions. We can change our lives by changing the way we think. An ancient Chinese proverb says:

If you think one year ahead - sow a seed.

If you think 10 years ahead - plant a tree.

If you think a hundred years ahead - educate the people.

Imagine, Malaysia full of educated, fully-functioning people, a generation of emotionally stable, highly-motivated people with sense of purpose and belonging, who no longer think in the destructive terms that have dominated our world.

I can think of no greater legacy!