ZM happy saturday. Today’s lesson comes from Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff: breathe before you speak.

I’ve always struggled with this. With ADHD, I’m impulsive and quick to react. My instinct is to speak before I’ve thought it through. To respond emotionally instead of pausing.

But every time I manage to take a breath first, everything shifts. The space between their words and mine feels small but powerful. People feel heard. Tension drops. My response comes from a calmer place instead of a reactive one.

In community work, especially in ZAO, this matters. We are constantly bouncing ideas, debating vision, building projects. If we all rush to fill the silence, the collective voice gets distorted. If we breathe, listen fully, then respond, the group gains clarity. Respect flows naturally.

You will notice this in your own circle too. The pause signals patience. It shows you value the person speaking more than the urge to be right. And often, the gift of being listened to is rarer than any advice you could give.

Today is a reminder to practice it. Take a breath before you answer. See how it changes your interactions.

– BetterCallZaal on behalf of the ZAO Team