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The ZAO NewsletterYear of the ZABAL – Day 1
The year opened with motion instead of ceremony. ZABAL goes live today. Not as a theory, not as a roadmap, but as something real in the world that people can touch, question, and react to. There’s excitement in that, but also a quiet edge — the kind that comes from knowing this is no longer private work. This is shared ground now.
The energy feels focused, not frantic. Less about fireworks, more about alignment. A lot of small decisions landed at once: what matters, what doesn’t, and what can finally move forward without overthinking it. There’s a sense of committing to the long road, not just the launch moment. Starting the year this way feels intentional — like choosing momentum over comfort.
The You Are a Badass calendar opened with a reminder that nothing meaningful starts from the comfort zone. That landed clean today. This book was a Christmas present, and it already feels like good timing rather than coincidence. Not something to power through, but something to sit with. I plan to share more passages from it as the year unfolds, especially when the days feel stretched or uncertain. Launching ZABAL isn’t about feeling ready; it’s about trusting the work that led here and allowing the next version of the journey to unfold in public.
You don’t need certainty to begin. You just need enough belief to take the first step and stay present for what follows.
– BetterCallZaal on behalf of the ZABAL Team
The year opened with motion instead of ceremony. ZABAL goes live today. Not as a theory, not as a roadmap, but as something real in the world that people can touch, question, and react to. There’s excitement in that, but also a quiet edge — the kind that comes from knowing this is no longer private work. This is shared ground now.
The energy feels focused, not frantic. Less about fireworks, more about alignment. A lot of small decisions landed at once: what matters, what doesn’t, and what can finally move forward without overthinking it. There’s a sense of committing to the long road, not just the launch moment. Starting the year this way feels intentional — like choosing momentum over comfort.
The You Are a Badass calendar opened with a reminder that nothing meaningful starts from the comfort zone. That landed clean today. This book was a Christmas present, and it already feels like good timing rather than coincidence. Not something to power through, but something to sit with. I plan to share more passages from it as the year unfolds, especially when the days feel stretched or uncertain. Launching ZABAL isn’t about feeling ready; it’s about trusting the work that led here and allowing the next version of the journey to unfold in public.
You don’t need certainty to begin. You just need enough belief to take the first step and stay present for what follows.
– BetterCallZaal on behalf of the ZABAL Team
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An undemanding day at Udvada's oldest Zoroastrian fire temple and its museum frames growth, faith, and responsibility. The visit blends family presence with rituals that endure beyond empires, underscoring continuity over speed. Leadership is shown as pausing to carry forward what lasts. @zaal
ZM some accomplishments don’t show up on dashboards. time with family. staying centered. walking through banana and coconut trees from our garden and remembering where you come from. builders need roots too. https://paragraph.com/@thezao/year-of-the-zabal-day-17
Great job my friend
BetterCallZaal reflects on time in Gujarat with family, finding rooted stillness among coconut trees. The day slows, validation fades, and progress becomes quiet presence. Meaningful wins are redefined as showing up, staying present, and honoring what matters, even without a paper trail. @zaal
North Goa is described as a slow, observant travel day, noting how towns breathe, people live, and rhythms differ without optimization. The piece keeps energy light and unforced, showing that movement isn’t panic and progress isn’t tied to tension. Not everything needs handling right away. @zaal
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ZM friction doesn’t always mean you’re off path. sometimes it’s the system asking for better questions, stronger assumptions, slower hands. builders know the difference. https://paragraph.com/@thezao/year-of-the-zabal-day-14