When you are entrusted with a task, you must do it well. You need to make an effort because God doesn’t help the lazy. This axiom was instilled in me from childhood, even though I was raised in an atheist environment and, at the time, didn’t expect divine assistance but rather relied on luck. Yet, even these calculations were in vain.

I attended a music school, and along with my studies, I also took on the role of concert host. This was a simple task: go on stage, announce the title of the piece, the name of the composer, and the performer with clear enunciation. The academic concerts were held at the end of each term, and I was selected by the teachers to host them.

But one day, I was handed a thick stack of typed sheets and asked to prepare properly and memorize the text. It was for a major anniversary concert at the Officers' House in a large hall, with famous alumni from the school and many invited guests.

At home, both my mother and grandmother kept reminding me, "Natasha, you should really learn the words!" But I just skimmed through the text a day before the concert and set it aside — after all, this wasn’t poetry, and I would definitely convey the meaning of each paragraph to the audience. A few lines before each number? Pfft, no problem!

I was only ten years old, but already brimming with the kind of bold confidence that was enough for ten people. And fortunately, I failed miserably at that task! I remember it like it happened yesterday: standing under the spotlight, trying to recall any of the lines I had just read backstage. When, instead of announcing the opera Orfeo, I proudly announced the title of a little-known opera called "Rakhman" — Rakhman was the name of the choir director who was supposed to perform the aria from Orfeo... That’s when one of the teachers stepped up, took the poor sheets from my hands, and conducted the rest of the concert herself.

Afterward, I couldn’t bring myself to go back to the music school — I was so embarrassed. But I did eventually return to my next lesson, and everyone treated me as if nothing had happened. Such good, tactful people! Still, the lesson stayed with me for life.

Don’t count on luck if you didn’t prepare for the exam. Don’t expect divine help if you slacked off and submitted a half-done piece of work. Never be lazy, because the end result will always be much more fulfilling if you approached it honestly rather than taking shortcuts or doing it halfheartedly.

You must pace your energy. Test your task beforehand — ask yourself who you’re working for: God, or just for the sake of work? But if you’ve taken on a job, don’t give in to idleness. Never shirk from labor. And God will help you. Without fail.

Original article: radiovera.ru/truditsja-po-chestnomu-natalja-razuvakina.html