The Momma Clan

Appreciation plays a significant role in shaping young minds. With words of appreciation, one cannot only help a person grow their mindset but also develop a positive self-image, which eventually leads towards becoming a good and successful human being. 

The incidence which I am about to share with you all, holds a very special place in my heart and is etched in my memory as this taught me one of the biggest lesson of life. 

Based on true events 

My heart was beating fast. I was extremely nervous, but my son was as cool as a cucumber. How could he be so calm and composed, especially on his result day? I thought.

“Apoorv, aren’t you worried about your result?” I asked. “No, Mumma, why should I be? I’ve given my best, so I’m not worried at all,” he said in a relaxed tone.

My husband was out of town, so I booked a cab to reach his school. On our way to school, I kept praying to God to bless my son and give him at least 85 percent. The only thought that was troubling me was, what if he doesn’t score well? What will everyone say?

We reached school and headed towards his classroom. We wished his class teacher a very good morning and requested her for the report card. My greatest fear came true. Apoorv hadn’t scored well. (Note: The definition of a good score or marks differs from parent to parent.) Apoorv had scored only 75 percent, which was lower than I had expected, but quite good for him. For him, scores or marks never mattered. 

On my way back home, I received a call from my father. He asked why I sounded so dull. I narrated everything to him. His reaction to my worry changed my perspective completely.

He laughed and said, “He’s scored good first-division marks, and instead of appreciating his efforts, you’re saying he hasn’t scored well. Don’t you think your reaction must be discouraging for him? You’re worried about what will people say, but you’re not worried about what your son will think. Remember, in the exam of life, marks don’t matter; your ability to face challenges leads you to success.”

I realized how wrong I had been. It was just an exam, and marks don’t decide anyone’s fate. The biggest exam is the exam of life, and children should know how to face that important exam without giving up hope or fearing failure.

I feel, sometimes we chase a rat race to impress everyone around us, sometimes with our own and sometimes with our children’s accomplishments. We unknowingly drag our children in this silly rat race and want them to win it, defeating, overshining everyone else running in the race and forget to encourage them for their own growth, their own progress.

I had learned a valuable lesson that day. I smiled and congratulated my son for the efforts he had put in and encouraged him to do better in future also. He held my hand in his small hands and said, “Mumma, don’t worry, I’ll try to score better next time.” 

Charles Schwab has rightly said that, “The way to develop the best that is in a person is by appreciation and encouragement.”

That day, I had understood that words of appreciation work like magic, which encourage a person to work harder and motivate them to give their best.

I called my father back and thanked him for teaching me an important lesson of life. When we reached home, I ordered my son’s favorite ice cream and sweets and thanked God. That day, I felt like I had cleared an important exam in my life too.

Arti Mathur