THE REFRIGERATOR HAS EARS
This is a new expression for an otherwise old and recurring phenomenon. My friends, who coined this phrase, based it on a Reader’s Digest article "Sshh, the refrigerator can hear you."
It is one of life’s little mysteries. At a time when was still paying huge sums for overlapping loans through salary deductions, my jeep behaved well. But every time I get a windfall, say, a bonus or substantial overtime pay, my jeep refuses to start. Or the water pump springs a leak. Or the electric rice cooker yields half-cooked rice. Or PLDT bills me for all long distance calls made in the last three months.
For similar reasons, Pierre avoids discussing his finances at home or while in his car. " If get a bonus I inform my wife through the office phone. " he adds with a sheepish grin.
When fate deals you a hand, it makes you wonder if fate has a muddled sense of humor. Years ago my mother replaced our ten-year-old ceramic roof tiles with long-span Coloroof. Three months later supertyphoon Nitang hit our town with the force of signal number 3. One third of the roof was blown away by the the strong winds. My mom couldn’t stop muttering. "Dah uy! kadako ra ba sa akong nagasto anang atop!" When she saw a neighbor’s house with one entire concrete wall virtually ripped apart by the same winds, she realized how our new roof held up better and kept everyone in the house safe and dry.
In another incident last February, Evangeline opened a bank account so she could save some of her earnings as housekeeper. Early this month, her brother was shot by a fellow security guard. She was able to lean on her savings to help cover his hospital expenses.
Similarly, days before Bebbie received her 13th month pay, her brother Rogel was hit by a tricycle. He fractured his right arm and had to be hospitalized for a month.
This is almost the opposite of Murphy’s Law. Things that can go wrong still go wrong, but fate somehow provides a cushion to soften the blow. It is more akin to " good news and bad news situation."
With Murphy’s Law, an appliance breaks down right after the warranty expires. Under the refrigerator theory, an appliance breaks down just before the warranty expires.
It goes beyond money, applications. On a weekend trip to Bataan last month, I packed pain relievers and anti-diarrhea tablets, just in case. I seldom get sick. The worst that happened to me last year was a mild case of colds and leg cramps from a mountain climbing trip. This particular weekend, I suffered from migraine and LBM. It didn’t just happen to me. My roommate packed a bottle of antiseptic and promptly injured herself upon reaching Metro Manila.
People have different ways of looking at this. Like the half-glass of water. The optimist rejoice and find reason to be grateful, " Maayo na lang gani kay ... " For them, there is always a bright side to thing. The pessimists regretfully wonder in hindsight, "Maayo pa wa na lang, di unta mahitabo." They welcome good tidings with trepidation because nothing good lasts forever.
Some attribute it to premonition, a stroke of luck, or pure chance. The superstitious can be forgiven for believing that if you take out a life insurance or prepare your last will and testament you will die soon. "Don’t tempt fate, "they say. Others suspect that because you thought about it, you will it to happen: "Gihunahuna man gud." On this level, the phenomenon comes close to voodoo which is believed to affect only those who believe in it.
Certainly some coincidences have logical explanations. Commutations of unused leaves and mid-year bonuses are scheduled in May or June to prepare parents for the start of classes. Snatchers, thieves and conmen are also "seasonal and territorial" so one is more likely to lose money and valuables during Christmas and enrollment at certain places.
"The rule to go by is "better safe than sorry."
Does bringing a tire wrench, jack and spare tire cause or avert flat tires? Who knows? But who wants to be stuck with a busted tire without these tools?
"Is there a lesson there?" Sure, It means be prepared for surprises at all times and in all places. Don’t wait for life to happen to you. Anticipate everything. Better still, make the life you want happen for you.
Things will happen no matter what. But you can always reduce the unpleasant, the costly, the painful and risky incidents in your life. As Louis Pasteur once said, "Chance favors the prepared mind." Invest a portion of your time, money and energy for a future need. Be proactive with your family’s health, safety, and security: at home, at work; with money; and for your own personal development.
Learn from the experience of Juanito, 42 years old who has never been seriously ill. Months after he got a healthcare plan and upped his life insurance, he suffered his first heart attack. Consequently he underwent a triple by-pass operation and was confined at different hospitals here and in Makati for over a month.
The refrigerator has ears, but for a reason.
Published in Sunstar Weekend, June 9, 1996