We need to R-E-L-A-X
Back in late September 2014, then Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers had some advice for fans upset the team had started slowly at 1-2.
“Five letters here just for everybody out there in Packer-land: R-E-L-A-X,” Rodgers said in a radio invterview. “Relax. We’re going to be OK.”
My point in retelling this story has nothing to do with football but everything to do with our need to R-E-L-A-X. I truly learned the meaning of the word “relax” while spending a few months in Mexico earlier this year. I’m not talking about sipping margaritas at some all-inclusive beach resort. It took a bit to wind down from packing, traveling and getting settled into our new surroundings, but the immediate difference I noticed between living there in the Yucatan as compared to here in the United States is the demeanor of the people.
Folks in Mexico seem to be much more relaxed than everyone I know here. I’m not saying Mexicans are all walking around whistling happy tunes, but even when people were driving in traffic, working hard or helping us fix some issue with our condo’s appliances, the people just appear to be less stressed and to take things in stride. I can’t tell you how many times I’d be walking down the street and nearly everyone I passed smiled and said hello or good morning. Yes, that happens in many communities here in Southwestern Pennsylvania, but that common courtesy, pleasantness and happy demeanor seem to be vanishing from society more and more every year.
After COVID, we kept hearing about pent up “COVID rage” being given as the excuse for violence and outright horrible behavior since people had been confined to home for months. We’re five years out from that, so what’s the excuse now? Everywhere you look, violence, fighting, arguing, disrespect and just rudeness and selfishness abound across all age groups.
Upon returning to the U.S., I noticed how stressed and rushed our society seems to be.
My husband remarked, “Everyone in our country acts like they need to be somewhere yesterday!” I made a promise to myself to try to maintain the happy demeanor, pleasantness, politeness and less stressed attitude of those I observed in Mexico and, so far, I’m doing pretty well. Overall, I’m a naturally happy person, but it’s crazy to realize that being civil, pleasant and relaxed is something we have to try to do as human beings.
Back to the Packers who finished that 2014 season at 12-4 and won the NFC North Division for a fourth consecutive year. They went undefeated at home and led the league in scoring. Rodgers threw for 4,000 yards and was named league MVP. However, they collapsed in the waning minutes of the NFC Championship game and blew a 19-7 lead. Still, maybe Rodgers was right with his advice for all of us to just R-E-L-A-X. It’s certainly worth a try!
Kristin Emery can be reached at kristinemery1@yahoo.com.