Good morning, happy Thursday – April 17, 2025 in the Year of the ZAO: Day 107.

You are not just your wins.
You are not just your flaws.

You’re the whole damn masterpiece—and the spilled paint, too.

Today’s reflection asks us to stop polishing the parts of ourselves we think are “acceptable” and finally take in the full scope of who we are. As Zorba the Greek once said, he was “the whole catastrophe”—and, frankly, so are we.

But here’s the twist: that's not something to fix. It's something to welcome.

When we deny our fear, insecurity, jealousy, or grief, we rob ourselves of the chance to grow from them. But when we say, “I’m frightened, and that’s okay,” we make space. And in that space, we evolve.

The point isn’t perfection.
The point is presence.
The point is to meet ourselves in the moment—with grace.

When we stop fighting who we are, we make room for the full spectrum:
Yes, the parts that make us cringe—but also the parts that shine.
We start to notice the selflessness in the middle of our selfishness.
The courage in the middle of our fear.
The relaxed breath hiding beneath the tension.

You don’t have to be one or the other. You’re all of it.
The ZAO is built on this same principle—celebrating artists in their totality.
Not polished products. But living, breathing, imperfect geniuses.

So today, give yourself a break.
Be the whole catastrophe—and be damn proud of it.

Call to Action:
Reflect on one part of yourself you’ve been judging lately.
Can you meet it with love today instead?

– BetterCallZaal from the ZAO Team