How Power of Silence Could Lead You to Success

Can you imagine what the ‘power of silence’ can do?

Here is a true-life incident to help you recognize the ‘power of silence.’

It was in the year 1978 that this happened.

I was in grade X and was to appear for my S.S.C.E board exams. In the month of April, my dad decided to relocate to Chennai (then called Madras). He had decided to take my mother and two younger sisters with him. I had to stay back in Mumbai (then Bombay) until my exams got over. Being the first batch of grade X to appear for the boards (earlier it was grade XI who wrote the board exams), our exams were to be held in the month of May 1978. I had to stay back with the other family members – we were a joint family!

I studied every morning for a few hours with my small transistor /radio beside me. Since I love music a great deal, I would listen to old Hindi songs while studying. I had my favorite spot on the balcony where nobody could disturb me! My eldest aunt would notice everything but never said a word to me. Her expressions were always conveying her thoughts. Non-verbal facial expressions!

What happened during my exams?

Time went by. The date of the exam approached. I had burnt the midnight oil for many days. My father returned to Mumbai after settling my mother and sisters in Chennai.

He was not at all worried about the exams. I have always excelled academically. He knew I would crack the exams and do well. He was chilled out!

Well, I appeared for my exams. The days went by. After completing the exams, my dad and I went to Chennai. I had to go back to Mumbai in August 1978 to collect my results.

The Day of the Results!

Again, it was dad and I who traveled to Mumbai by train. Train journeys were fun with him around. We hardly would sleep – we kept awake to have tea at a station, played cards, and had a ball.

The day of my results arrived. I went to take the blessings of my aunt. (the one who was watching me earlier). Well, she blessed me mockingly and said, “You are going for your result? I think you will manage to get through. Expecting good marks from you is foolish. You spent your entire time listening to songs. I wonder if you studied at all!”

Her words pierced my heart, but mom had taught us not to back-answer elders. So, I just went with dad to school. I was nervous. Dad kept holding my hand as if to say – all is well! You are my brilliant girl, and you are sure to get a distinction. We finally got our hands on my result sheet. I scored excellent marks – a 74% but was a bit disappointed since I missed the distinction -75% and above.

Dad’s gift was a Surprise!

Dad saw my face and pacified me. The only solace was that I was the highest scorer in the entire Joshi family. Wasn’t that some achievement! We went home. My aunt was in the kitchen and awaiting to hear her prediction come true. I just showed her my result and waited…. She was stunned! “Arey waah! You managed to get the first class! We are so proud of you.” I took her blessings again. Then, I had to sound her off. So, I let it out from my system – told her that despite her not wanting me to score well, I had made it! I was the second highest in my class.

All this drama was followed by a celebration with the whole family. To top it up, I got a surprise gift from my dad – an HMT wristwatch. It was the first time that I was wearing a watch. It was a beautiful midnight blue dial with a steel strap. After this, we went to Chennai where another incident took place. I shall share that too sometime in the future.

The wonderful lesson I learned was that one should ‘Work in Silence and let Success make the Noise.’

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