Бесплатный фрагмент - How to overcome laziness

Chapter 1: The Mysterious Little Spark

In a small, cozy town — where every house looked like an illustration from an old storybook — lived a girl named Liza. Her life used to shine in bright colors: her mom’s goodnight kiss before bed, the joyful laughter of friends playing outside, the soft rays of the sun dancing on her bedroom walls and casting whimsical patterns. Each day brought something new — a curious flower discovered in the garden or the thrill of a fresh page turned in a favorite book. But lately, everything had changed.

Now Liza often sat on the windowsill, gazing at the gray sky. She used to love rainy days for their secret charm and magic. Today, though, the rain just seemed dull, cold, and ordinary. Her fingers drifted lazily across the fogged glass, leaving traces as if they could somehow brighten this gloomy day.

Her once-beloved book lay on the floor, forgotten and gathering dust. Several drawings, which she had proudly shown off just a week ago, now seemed to her childish and unimportant. Textbooks lay in the corner — Liza hadn’t touched them, though she knew she should do her homework. Thinking about it only made her sigh heavily.

«Maybe I should start with something small,» she thought, glancing at the textbooks. «No… tomorrow. I’ll definitely start tomorrow.»

But that thought felt all too familiar, repeating each day. She failed to realize that «tomorrow» would never change unless she took her first step today.

Liza’s room was cozy, but it felt cramped and oppressive. Once adorned with her drawings, the walls were now bare, like a forgotten space. The windowsill, where she used to love sitting, had become a lonely perch for hours spent watching the gray sky. Even the air in the room felt heavy and motionless, as if time itself had stopped.

Her mom came in more and more often, looking at her with growing concern. «Liza, are you alone again? Why not go outside and play with your friends?» her mom asked gently one day from the doorway.

Liza looked up, her eyes dull and tired. She only shook her head. «I just… don’t feel like it,» she whispered, turning away.

Her mom sighed, left without a word, and quietly closed the door. Liza felt a tightness in her chest. She wanted to say she was fine, that she was simply tired, but the words stuck in her throat.

«Why can’t I just get up and do something?» Liza wondered, a pang of guilt echoing in her heart. «Mom’s worried, my friends have stopped asking me to join them… I’ve locked myself in this cage.»

One evening, after darkness had settled outside, Liza was once more perched on the windowsill, staring blankly at the stars. They used to stir her imagination, filling her with awe and dreams of distant worlds. Today they just seemed cold and distant. She sighed, feeling a numbing emptiness inside.

«There was a time I dreamed of traveling, of new discoveries… And now even the stars seem so far away,» Liza thought, her heart heavy with sadness.

Suddenly, one of the stars began to twinkle brighter than the others. At first, Liza thought she must be imagining it, but the star pulsed more and more strongly, as though alive. With each passing moment, it glowed more vividly, as if moving toward her.

«What is that?» Liza wondered, feeling her heart pick up speed. «That can’t be real…»

She pressed herself to the window, hardly believing her eyes. The star was flying straight toward the glass! With a soft tap, it landed against the window, making a barely audible tinkling sound.

«Am I dreaming?» Liza thought, torn between fear and curiosity. «Or have I lost my mind?»

As if enchanted, Liza carefully opened the window. In that instant, a tiny glowing spark flew inside, bringing a gentle radiance to the room. It drifted down onto her shoulder, and Liza felt a strange warmth that flooded her entire body — like a newly awakened ember.

«Who are you?» she whispered, afraid to scare this small wonder away.

«Hello, Liza,» came a soft voice. «My name is Little Spark. I’m here to help you.»

Liza blinked, trying to understand what was happening. «Help me? But I’m… not sick.»

The Little Spark glowed softly as it swirled around her, filling the room with light. «You’re right, Liza, you’re not sick,» it answered quietly. «But some things can keep you from reaching your dreams and goals. One such thing is Laziness. It hides in the smallest details, turning your life gray and aimless.»

Liza thought about its words. She remembered how she recently put everything off, how she often chose the easiest path instead of actually doing something. She realized that laziness had truly crept into her life.

«But how… how did this happen?» she asked anxiously. «I used to love learning, playing, creating…»

The Little Spark glowed a bit brighter, its warmth shining on her face. «Laziness sneaks up quietly, Liza. It hides in the tiny refusals — when you decide to postpone something until later, promising yourself you’ll do it tomorrow. It feeds on your doubts and fears, lulling your drive to do anything until it holds you captive.»

Lowering her gaze, Liza suddenly saw how her recent days had slipped by: aimless, filled with missed moments and lost joys.

«For instance,» the Spark went on, pointing to an old couch in the corner, «that couch. When you lie on it „just for a moment to rest,“ you think it’s only for a few minutes. But minutes turn into hours, hours into days. Laziness sneaks up, whispering, „Just a bit longer. You’ll start after.“ And before you know it, you spend more and more time on that couch instead of doing anything worthwhile.»

Liza swallowed hard, recalling how many evenings she had spent lying there, doing nothing. «But… I don’t know how to fight it,» her voice trembled. «I… don’t want anything anymore.»

The Spark gently drifted closer, its glow radiating a spark of hope. «You can defeat Laziness, Liza,» it said confidently. «But you’ll have to pass a test. Our journey together will show you how important it is to fight laziness and reclaim life’s joy. But before we begin, you must answer three questions.»

A swirl of fear and curiosity gripped Liza’s heart. «All right,» she whispered at last. «I’m ready.»

«First question: what is inspiration?»

Liza closed her eyes, recalling moments when she felt a bright light inside — an inner fire. She tried to relive that sensation. «Inspiration…» she said slowly. «It’s like a spark in your soul. It appears suddenly, illuminating everything. The world seems brighter and more alive, and you can’t just sit still. You want to run, create, do something. Without inspiration, everything feels gray, like it does right now.»

The Spark flared gently, as if cheering her on. «You’ve got it, Liza. Inspiration is the spark that lights the fire within. But you must keep the flames alive, or they’ll go out. I’ll help you regain that spark, but first, you must answer the second question.»

«Second question: what is creativity?»

Liza remembered her drawings and stories. Closing her eyes, she spoke. «Creativity…» she whispered. «It’s when you turn your thoughts and ideas into something real. You can compose music, paint a picture, or craft a toy that makes children happy. It can be anything, as long as it brings joy not only to you but to others as well.»

The Spark lit up more brightly, as though smiling. «You’re right, Liza. Creativity is a process that allows us to express what we feel and share it with others. One last question remains.»

«What is laziness?» the Spark asked.

For a moment Liza thought, then offered a sad smile, feeling that familiar heaviness in her heart. «Laziness… is when you don’t feel like doing anything, when emptiness and apathy take over. It’s like a shadow that steals your joy and makes you forget the light.»

The Spark shone so brightly that it lit up the entire room. «You see, Liza, Laziness is not your enemy by nature, but it becomes an obstacle to your dreams. It steals your excitement, inspiration, and desire to create. You can overcome it. You’ve answered all three questions, and now you’re ready for our journey together. We’ll fight Laziness, side by side.»

«But why me?» Liza asked, still hesitating. «Isn’t this all too hard?»

The Spark chuckled kindly. «Who said it would be easy?» it teased. «But remember — sometimes the greatest adventures begin with the tiniest of steps. You’ll never know what you’re capable of if you don’t try. Remember how you once painted a picture so realistic people mistook it for the real thing? You can do wonderful things if you dare to start.»

Liza smiled, recalling her favorite pastime. «You know,» the Spark continued, «Laziness is like an old couch that tempts you to sink into it. But imagine using that couch for a short rest, so you can tackle your tasks with renewed energy. Rest is important, but you can’t let it turn into Laziness. If you use the couch to recharge, then return to your tasks, you’ll find balance between work and relaxation.»

Liza nodded thoughtfully, remembering all those nights she had wasted lying around doing nothing, which only made her feel worse in the end.

«You’re right,» Liza said, feeling a flicker of resolve burn brighter inside her. «I want to change. I want to see the world in color again, full of possibility.»

«Then let’s begin,» said the Spark, glowing stronger. «But remember, this won’t be easy. You must be ready for challenges.»

«I’m ready,» Liza answered firmly, a glimmer of hope in her eyes.

«Onward, then,» the Spark replied, and the walls of her room began to fade away, giving way to a new, uncharted world.

Dear Reader!

If you can relate to how Liza feels right now, try these tasks to help you see the world with fresh eyes and rediscover joy in simple things:

— Draw Your Own «Spark»

— Imagine everyone has a hidden source of light inside. Draw what your personal Spark might look like (any color or shape) and write briefly about when it appears and what it says to support you.

— Keep a «Happy Moments Journal»

— For a few days or a week, every evening list three small, pleasant events that made you smile (a friend’s cheerful greeting, a tasty meal, a lovely picture outside). This will help you — like Liza — notice the good, even on gloomy days.

— Don’t Put Things Off Until «Tomorrow»

— Think of two or three tasks you’ve been wanting to do for a while but keep postponing. Write them down and try taking at least one small first step toward one of them today.

Chapter 2: Meeting Wise Grandma Diligence

Liza’s bedroom walls dissolved, revealing a dense forest with tall trees that stretched toward the sky. A gentle breeze rustled her hair, carrying the scent of pine and fresh greenery. Each leaf seemed alive; every tree was like an ancient guardian of hidden secrets. Liza looked around, her heart fluttering with awe and curiosity.

«Where are we?» Liza asked, glancing about in wonder.

«This is where you’ll meet someone who can help you overcome Laziness,» answered the Little Spark, shimmering beside her. «Your first mentor will be Wise Grandma Diligence. She’ll show you the importance of simple tasks and self-care.»

They followed a winding trail through massive trees. The forest was so vibrant and full of life that Liza couldn’t tear her gaze away. It felt as though each leaf and branch belonged to a grand, living tapestry filled with secrets and mysteries.

«This forest is so beautiful,» Liza thought, her heart filling with warmth. «It’s peaceful here… but I’m still scared. What if I fail? What if Grandma Diligence thinks I’m too lazy to learn anything?»

Sensing her fear, the Spark glowed reassuringly. Soon they came to a small cottage with red shutters and a moss-covered roof. A warm light shone from inside, radiating a sense of comfort.

«That’s her house,» said the Spark. «Time to learn.»

Liza approached the door, which swung open softly. Inside, the cottage was small but very cozy. By the fireplace sat an elderly woman with silvery hair braided neatly down her back. Her kind eyes gleamed with both wisdom and mischief. Paintings on the walls depicted hardworking people: someone building a house, another embroidering, yet another studying. A vintage sewing machine stood in the corner, looking ready for a new project. Shelves overflowed with books, magazines, and handmade crafts, giving the place a sense of constant creativity.

«Well, it’s about time!» the old woman smiled, rising to her feet. «I was starting to think I’d have to march out into the forest and scare you like an old forest witch.»

Liza giggled nervously, sitting on a chair and glancing at the warm, inviting room. The Spark flickered at her shoulder, as though encouraging her.

«You’ll spend the night here,» Grandma Diligence said, nodding to a bed in the corner. «Get some proper rest. I can wake you so effectively that even a sleeping dragon would snap to.»

Liza smiled and, feeling unexpectedly tired, lay down on the bed. Sleep claimed her almost instantly, filled with vivid and pleasant dreams.

The next morning, Liza woke refreshed. Sunbeams streamed gently into the room, and the air smelled of freshly baked bread. Stretching, she noticed a toothbrush on the bedside table with her name carved into it. She had a sudden urge to skip her morning routine.

«Well, skipping once won’t hurt,» she muttered.

But Grandma Diligence’s voice echoed from across the room: «Liza, Laziness always starts with an «I’ll skip just this once.» You won’t even notice how often that «once’ will appear. Come here and see what can happen if you give in to that little slip.»

A prickle of worry surfaced as Grandma Diligence brought Liza to a mirror. With a wave of her hand across its surface, it showed Liza’s reflection changing. Her formerly bright, sturdy teeth turned yellow and began to decay, leaving frightening gaps. Her reflection looked weary and sickly.

«Is that… me?» Liza whispered, trembling.

«That’s who you might become, if you let Laziness get the upper hand,» Grandma said calmly. «As my own grandma used to say, if you want the mirror to show a princess instead of a forest witch, brush your teeth every day, no matter where you live!»

Visibly shaken, Liza forced a smile, grabbed the toothbrush, and got to work. When she finished, Grandma nodded in approval.

«That’s all it takes — no magic spells needed. Just a brush, toothpaste, and some diligence.»

After breakfast, Grandma led Liza outside to a garden overgrown with weeds and dry branches. The flowers were wilted, and the apple trees’ leaves had yellowed. Once vibrant, it all looked sadly neglected.