AMASS. 12/11/26
The word amass is synonymous to “gain” in my mind, so when I consider my own relationship to the word, I can’t help but view it in teh sense of “what have I gained”?
I think the context that I am most used to hearing about this word is when someone is said to have amassed a wealth or fortune. In many ways, I do feel really fucking wealthy, but that’s not because I have amassed a huge amount of money, it’s because I seem to have landed in a place of “plenty”. Or “enough”. Plenty enough, then.
Plenty enough money to be able to engage in my hobbies and travel to see friends. Plenty enough connections to feel my social needs are fulfilled and I don’t feel lonely. Plenty enough love, security, fun, safety.
I live in a society where to amass more, more, more, is what most people seem to be striving towards… and I’m probably guilty of that too.
But I can say with a fairly sturdy degree of confidence that what I seek to amass has very little to do with money. If I’m honest with myself, I think I embark on so many different projects, challenges, and non-profit pursuits because I seek to amass something I struggle to put a word to.
I think it might be “meaning”, but that’s not easily gathered or accumulated in the same way money is. My shadow side also likely seeks to amass recognition (and this is where this writing challenge starts to feel scary/vulnerable). But the desire to build a sense of meaning far outweighs the desire to be validated/recognised and so as long as I keep that balance in check, I should be alright.
I also seem to have amassed two cats, both of whoom would like my attention now (or their dinner).
