The MASA
Conceptualization
MASA noun \ ˈmä-sä \
Dough; fresh, kneadable, unbaked, yet not incomplete.
A gathering in its earliest form, built from existing ingredients: curiosity, openness, community.
A space of preparation where something becomes what it is meant to be.
A collective that can take on many shapes, depending on who participates and what they bring.
from Spanish: masa, meaning dough; a foundation that can become anything when given time, heat, and intention.
What part of me is craving to create MASA?
The part of me that loves creating connections. I am always looking for community because I know what it feels like to want to belong without pressure or commitment. I have always found it difficult to find or build a friend group, but I am craving the experience of creating one from scratch.
What do I personally find missing that I want to build?
Structure and creativity. I want to build the logistics to bring this to life and shape it the way I imagine it.
How do I want to feel when hosting or creating a MASA gathering?
Like myself: inspired, motivated, fulfilled, energized. I want to tap into the side of me that enjoys hosting and connecting people. I do not want to feel stressed, which I have realized is tied to my tendency to people-please. I want this to help rewire my brain toward positive emotions rather than the negative ones.
When in my life have I felt most connected, inspired, grounded?
At the dinner table, in the mountains, or doing something creative for myself. It is the sobremesa and the moments leading up to it, the preparation. It is skiing, hiking, and being outdoors.
How does MASA make people feel? What do I want the takeaways to be? What needs do I aim to fulfill for everyone involved?
I want MASA to feel like connection and community. I want people to feel inspired by others, confident in themselves, and genuinely connected. I want to create space for that to happen. Everyone has creativity, aspirations, and imagination, and MASA can help bring that to the surface.