THOUGHTS OF FEMOLAD: BRING ON THE FLIES

BRING ON THE FLIES

Yes, flies!

Flying insects.

Those insects characterized by the use of only one pair of wings for flight and the reduction of the second pair of wings to knobs used for balance.

Those flying things we love to swat and crush.

 

Spiritually, the Fly warns you that you need to be ready and calm when changes start.

It in some ways represents a warning. If your life is changed, it does not have to mean that the change will be bad.

 

Two of them particularly catch my fancy..

lTHE GADFLY

and

lTHE FIREFLY

Do I need mention their cousin? The one we love to hate. Associated with vermin, I hate to think of the HOUSEFLY.

 

What is a Gadfly?

That annoying fly that bites livestock, especially a horsefly, warble fly, or botfly.

The Gadfly

Who is a Gadfly?

A gadfly is a person who interferes with the establishment by posing novel, potentially upsetting questions, usually directed at authorities with the aim of prompting positive changes. The term is originally associated with the ancient Greek philosopher Socrates, in his defense when on trial for his life.

 

Socrates saw himself as a messenger of the gods sent to act as a gadfly to the Athenian state. He saw the state as “a great and noble steed” which had to be reminded of its proper duties.

In modern day politics, a gadfly is someone who persistently challenges people in positions of power, the status quo or a popular position.

According to Moses Klein the Israeli Photographer, “There is a function for the gadfly who poses questions that many specialists would like to overlook.”

Every society needs a Gadfly. Someone who criticises and prods the state with noble intentions. His mission is better governance and not running the government down.

 

 What is a Firefly? 

That soft-bodied beetle related to the glow-worm, the winged male and flightless female of which both have luminescent organs. The light is chiefly produced in flashes and typically functions as a signal between the sexes.

Fireflies’ lights are the most efficient lights in the world. Hundred percent of the light produced is emitted. Fluorescent bulbs emit 90% while incandescent bulbs emit only 10%.

Firefly symbolism is logical after-all. Fireflies are so lovely, that they had to be the symbol of some kind. They symbolise light, illumination and the like. The night, the dark hours is when all its symbolic meaning is evident.

 As a creature of light, it should come as no surprise that the firefly is a symbol of illumination. The firefly symbolism reminds us that our paths are made lighter if we allow beauty and grace to fill our lives.

 

The Firefly

Who is a Firefly?

The fireflies among us are the ones who always provide guiding light in moments of darkness and trouble. The ones who, in times of well being, keep reminding us that the good of the society is the desired goal. They provide light to the feet of the man in authority so that he does not fumble as he traverses the mine filled field of governance.

Gadflies and Fireflies unlike some others in their ilk are not noise makers.

 

Despots and demagogues see Gadflies and Fireflies as pests. Attempting to swat them has led to faltering and eventually falling of their governments.

 

A man in position of power who despises the gadflies who keep him on his toes will eventually fail. The stinging bites of the gadflies might be momentarily painful but they ginger the powers that be to do the right thing and make amends when errors have occured.

 

Ignoring the Fireflies who light the way is politically, economically and diplomatically suicidal. There are those with greater knowledge in the art of statesmanship and macro-economic management. Gate keepers abound who know how to do the right thing the right way to get the right results. They are the Fireflies.

 

The Gadflies  and the Fireflies are important for the success of any enterprise, political, administrative or social.

 

Ignoring them gives way for the other ones I detest. The Houseflies who hang around waiting to feed on the rot occasioned by the failure and collapse. These are people who wait for you to fail in order to pester you and add pain to your injury. Like the vulture, they can be very patient.

For many in the seats of power who have persistently swatted at the Gadflies and Fireflies, The Houseflies are waiting.

 

Have a lovely Eid el Fitri Holiday

 Femi Ladapo writes from Ibadan, Nigeria