Some lessons land softly, and some slice through your habits like a blade. Today’s reflection comes from one of those cuts—a reminder from The Four Agreements that hits a little too close to home: Don’t make assumptions.

The card reads: “We assume they are going to do what we want because they know us so well. If they don’t do what we want, we feel hurt and think, how could you do that? You should know.” Sound familiar?

It’s wild how much emotional chaos can stem from something we never actually said out loud. In community, in collaboration, in love—clarity isn’t just kindness, it’s protection. Protection from resentment, confusion, and from believing our story is the only one that matters.

In the ZAO, we talk a lot about transparency. Not just in the onchain, wallet-to-wallet, receipts kind of way. But in the “hey, I’m actually not sure what you need right now—can you tell me?” kind of way. It’s hard. It’s vulnerable. But it’s how we grow, together.

So today’s a good day to drop the assumption and ask the question. Whatever the question is.

Let someone off the hook—especially if they didn’t know they were on one to begin with.

– BetterCallZaal on behalf of the ZAO Team