Mind The Gap

"Mind the gap....mind the gap....mind the gap." 

My husband and I spent two weeks in London recently and rode the tube daily.  While Glen knew about this phrase, it was my first experience. As we rode, the automated voice would begin as we approached a station, letting us know which stop this was and then finish with a warning to mind the gap. If you had to go seven stations to your stop, you heard the warning seven times on the way there, and seven times on the way home. It became a running joke for my husband and I.

Despite the constant repetition, I misjudged the step up to the train getting on one time and tripped. Why? First of all, every stop and train was different. Sometimes the step was up, sometimes the step was down, sometimes the gap to step across was tiny, and other times wider. But even more relevant was the constant repetition turned the warning into background noise. Like living near train tracks, you eventually just quit hearing it. 

Over the time we were there, hearing this phrase repeated over and over caused a question to to form. I made a note to revisit it once home. The question? Was there a deeper meaning to be found in that phrase to inspire an article? The answer was yes.  Mind the gap can be applied to many areas of our lives.  

When I searched for the origin of this phrase, it referred to staying clear of the space between the platform and the edge while a train was approaching (the gap) until it came to a complete stop. That is true of all transit.  Don't push to the edge and  stay back behind the safety line clearly displayed on the platform. Then there is the meaning we experienced on our trip which was to be careful getting on and off the train as the levels were different at every station. 

Let's start with the original definition.  Our excitement for a new idea or opportunity can make us impatient.  We start to push forward too quickly, grab too tightly, and keep our focus too narrow. When you find yourself in this space, it's time to slow down and take a deep breath.  Anything meant to be in your life, any new direction, has a timing to it.  Sometimes an instant leap of faith is the perfect choice. Other times patience is needed while everything comes into alignment. And there are times the right answer is to walk away. 

How do you know which action is required?  It takes time to learn to quiet the chatter of advice running through your mind and sink in deep to hear your heart, your instincts speak.  How you develop these moments of silence could involve a quiet practice like meditation or yoga. Or you may need movement like walking, running or bicycling to achieve that empty, quiet space.  Each time you make room in your day to practice quieting the mind it gets easier. 

Another clue is this truth I learned from my mentor. You need to explore whether an action is guided or being driven by ego.  If  you are meant to embrace something new, the time will be there in your schedule for it, as well as whatever you need to walk this path. If you are forcing an opening in your schedule or you are missing important support elements, then pause and check in. What are you ready to let go of to make room for something new? Is this the right time to move in a new direction? It's okay to wait for the right moment. It's also okay to let something go as not right for you.

Another way of looking at the phrase mind the gap is the way it was used when we were riding the tube. It was a warning to be thoughtful in getting on and off the train. The step might be up or down or level. The gap could be nonexistent or wider. They were pushing us to be fully present and aware, not moving on and off with our minds elsewhere. 

This is relevant to the way we walk through life.  Being fully present and in the moment connects us with the universe in a very special way. We see, we hear, we feel the beauty and love around us. We also experience the sadness and needs of those around us. We are aware when doors are opening and closing.  I have times I walked through life oblivious, getting tripped by events or situations right in front of me. Other times I am able to stay fully present, responding and shifting to the changing landscape.  I can tell you from experience the later is a lot easier to navigate. 

Practice staying full present as you walk through your day. Take note of what you see, hear and are feeling. Set aside time daily to practice quieting the chaos and sink deeply within to listen to your heart speak.  Know it will take time for this to become a habit. Be kind to yourself when you are struggling. Learn from your mistakes. Show up every day and do the work whether it feels like you are progressing or not. And know - there is never one answer that is right in all situations.

And mind the gap!