I took Driver’s Ed in high school as a summer elective. This gave me a boost to my GPA, but the real benefit was that I didn’t have to take the driving test when I went to apply for my driver’s license. During the lesson on merging onto a highway, the teacher used the phrase “give gap, take gap.” The basic premise is that when someone is trying to merge into your lane, you should give a large gap between you and the car in front of you. And, conversely, when you are attempting to merge onto a highway, take whatever gap is available, instead of waiting for the perfect one.
I routinely find myself repeating this phrase as I battle Atlanta traffic, almost like a mantra. It keeps me calmer and makes the drive more pleasant when I think of the people inside the cars as someone who I can “give” to. I look for opportunities to allow a little extra room in front of me to give another car a chance to break into the endless line of cars. And I’m reminded when I’m merging that, while I do have the right to merge into traffic at a normal speed, I need to take what I can get, even if it is a smaller space than I’d like.
I have realized that this phrase can also apply to other areas of life. Think how your day could improve if you gave a little grace and learned how to take a compliment. I’ll be musing on some of these thoughts, as well as other topics I find interesting. I hope you find my writings entertaining, thought provoking, or at least a welcome break from your busy day.
Remember to give a little gap today, and take what you get with a smile.