What comes to your mind when you hear the word gap? What is your first thought? What comes to my mind are the many interpretations of this word. Most of the time, the interpretations depend on who is using this word and the circumstances surrounding its use.

Gap is often defined as a break, a hole or an opening between two objects; or, you can have a break in continuity and understanding: a hole in a fence. During 1960s and 1970s, this term was used by pop culture to denote an older generation who did not understand the actions and behaviors of the younger generation — the generation gap.

The Gap, which opened its first retail store in 1968 in San Francisco, Calif., was started to provide clothing to a younger generation because of a perceived gap in the retail market. In 1970, three brothers started an R&B, funk and soul band. The Gap Band had such hits as “You Dropped the Bomb on Me” and “Early in the Morning,” which were played at parties and over the radio airwaves constantly.

David jj of the Chopra Center in California teaches his students to meditate by using the gap found between inhalation and the exhalation of the breath. This method assists participants to deepen the meditative state, connecting to a deep sense of peace and serenity. These are just a few of the many ways to use the word gap depending on the scenarios. 

Now, we can take the word gap and personalize it to give us our own definition, which will allow us to expand and grow from the inside out. Let’s see what we can come up with.

GAP — God Answers Prayers, Good and Positive, Great African People or Generosity And Prosperity.

I just love all of these, but my favorite one is:

G — GRATITUDE: Being grateful for life, movement, clarity of mind, family and friends. Gratitude is the foundation for a richer and fuller life ,no matter what the circumstances.

A — ATTITUDE: A heart-felt deep sense of positivity that everything in your life happens for your highest good.

P — PLENTITUDE: Living in the flow of abundance, knowing that all you desire is supplied physically, emotionally and spiritually, knowing that there is no lack nor limitation, and it is a perception.

So when I get the monkey mind and those thoughts of “Woe is me,” I sing to myself, “I am living in gratitude with a heart-felt attitude because I am grounded and surrounded by love. Plentitude is my state of mind and I show love to all mankind.” 

Life responds to us in a soft, sweet yet spiritual way when we continuously practice being in the G.A.P.

Try it! What have you got to lose?

Make up your own interpretation in a song, a mantra or an affirmation. Grounded and centered in your own interpretation of in the G.A.P., you will be “positively inspired” to be mindful of your words, actions and behaviors toward yourself and others.

Yemaja Jubilee is a Charlotte County native and a poet, author, playwright and inspirational speaker. She is also the co-founding artistic director of Cultural Libations & co-producer of “Black Wall Street-The Money, The Music & The People.” She can be contacted at landNluv@aol.com.