Expressing Gratitude is an act of Abundance!!!

I was a very bright student in school since childhood. I studied in one of the most famous CBSE schools in Chennai. I always used to be in top 10 ranks. I was a confident and happy child. I was always contented with marks I scored until I reached class 10.

Owing to the fear of board exam, peer pressure etc, I started to lose out on my focus. I began losing confidence day-by-day. In fact I had great difficulty in facing my own teachers. Instead of channelizing my efforts to study well and perform better, I looked at my friends and started comparing myself with them. In the bargain, I began to perform very bad and I lost marks in important subject like Maths. 

Till I entered class X, I always scored 90+ in maths. However, I could not score beyond 70 in quarterly & half yearly exams of class X . I was very much disappointed and did not have the courage to face my near and dear ones. While, I was so disturbed, all I could remember was my 7th standard class teacher A S Purnalakshimi who was a Maths teacher. 

I decided to approach her for guidance. Initially, she was reluctant to take special classes or tuition for me as she did not take tuition for anybody till then. 

Then I told my mother to persuade her to take tuition for me. On seeing my determination, she finally agreed.

My house was around 10 km from her house. Only 3 months were left for the board exam. I started going on weekends that means only 12 weekends were left which was approximately 12 days as I could not spend more than 4 hours in  a day at her home. On the 1st day, I felt slightly uncomfortable as I thought I am spoiling her leisure time. But I decided to focus on my task at hand.

I sincerely approached every problem in the maths book. My teacher taught me not to be afraid of the problem in the text book, Rather, she would sit besides me and guide me in solving each and every problem. She appreciated my hard work. Those words of appreciation motivated me to solve more and more problems at my home before meeting her the following week end.

She eagerly used to wait for me every weekend to help in clarifying my doubts. I started being very comfortable at her home. I also became more confident as I was nearing the board exam.

Finally, the day arrived. Maths exam. To my surprise, my teacher reached the examination center before me. I ran closer to her and wished her good morning ma'am. She showed me a Garland and smiled at me.

It was a Garland of small bits of paper with Sri Rama Jayam written on it. she told me that I would surely do very well in the exam and told me to approach the mathematical paper with a calm mind.

The positivity started creeping in me and I gave my best in the exam. Then, the day came when my results were announced . I scored 96 marks out of 100 in Maths. When I checked my result online I became very emotional when I saw 96 marks. I immediately called my teacher and told her my marks.

She became emotional too and was very happy for me. 

Today I'm sharing this story because this is one of the episodes in my life which made me realize my true capabilities for which

I am grateful to my teacher A S Purnalakshimi.

Actually this happened in the year 2002. But till date I am in touch with her and I never fail to call her on her birthday every year. I keep sharing with her every milestone in my life.

Thank-you-ma'am!!!😀