The word GAP literally means “empty or excessive distance between two contrasting terms.” It should be noted that, according to the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE), GAP is defined as a foreign word, as it is borrowed from English.

Likewise, many of us use the term GAP in everyday life. For example, when referring to a significant gap or difference, such as what we were “promised” when buying a product or service versus what we actually received, or what we expect from a colleague in a given job versus their actual performance, among others. This is something we surely experience in various aspects of our lives, including personal, family, and professional.

This past weekend, Jessica and I took a quick trip to Lima to attend and celebrate the 20th wedding anniversary of some very good friends. The vow renewal ceremony and luncheon took place at a country house south of Lima. It was a truly moving and warm gathering, filled with good vibes.

In that sense, from what was shared, both by the priest during the religious ceremony and by the words the couple addressed to all those present, these three words kept lingering in my mind: “thank you,” “help,” and “forgive.” For this reason, I would like to suggest that we give the word GAP a new use, in the form of an acrostic or mnemonic, so that we can easily remember the associated words.

Therefore, I am sure that regardless of age, friendships, family situation, profession, or job position, we can apply the transversal GAP to all facets of our lives. Here are some very simple examples:

• Thank you for your sincere friendship, for your concern, for your correction, for your call, for your time listening to me, for teaching me, for your example, for your words, etc.
• A for Helping, for helping me with schoolwork, for helping me with the solution to this work issue, for helping me with the work team, for helping with household chores, etc.
• P for Forgive, for your forgiveness for my inconsistencies, for your forgiveness for my ingratitude, for your forgiveness for this mistake in the presentation to this important client, etc.

In addition, I’m sharing two quotes related to gratitude, help, and forgiveness; with which we can reflect and take immediate action.

• “If the only sentence you ever said in your entire life was ‘thank you,’ that would be enough.” — Meister Eckhart
• “It is in giving that we receive. It is in forgiving that we are forgiven.” —  St. Francis of Assisi

Finally, I invite and encourage you to put this new use of the word GAP into action with concrete deeds. Let’s make fashionable the values ​​and virtues associated with the G for thanks, A for help, and P for forgiveness. In this way, we will build bridges of fluid communication and better understanding among Peruvians, and we will have a better country for all. By the way, don’t forget: always row hard against the current and out into the open sea!