They say pictures speak louder than a 1000 words; interpret this picture in one sentence of ten or less words.

THE MOTH and THE FLAME

We've all heard the phrase "like a moth to a flame". Term usually used to describe a potentially fatal or indeed fatal sort of attraction, a ridiculously "obvious" path to destruction which seems to draw its victim for not so "obvious" reasons.
I've often wondered what it was about the flame that so entranced the moth that it could not see it was on a path to destruction! Did the moth not feel the heat as it approached, did it not sense danger? Had it not heard tales of other moths which had met their untimely end on this same path?
Scientists and all those other smart people have been unable to reach a general consensus on the answer to this phenomenon.( So I won't bother trying!) Some argue that moths which naturally use the moon for navigation to guide them in a straight line get confused by the flame causing it to change course, head for the flame, eventually gets too close it which is its fatal mistake. Others argue that moths are not attracted to light but to darkness, using the Mach band theory of a bright light which appears to be darker than everything else. Since moths believe that the dark is the safest place to be, they gravitate towards the mach band which is closest to the flame.
Other theories abound in explanation of this crazy phenomenon, but no matter how you choose to look at it, a number of things remain true. One; the moth thought it would be safer heading in the direction of the flame. Two; the moth decided it needed the help of the flame for either direction or safety or some other reason. Three; the moth could not have been more wrong.  
I however cannot help but think the moth knew what was about to happen but could not stop itself in time to escape the inevitable. Its like being on a slide, after a while it gets to a point where you can no longer stop on your own, only some external force can stop you. that is why moths seem to slam into you if you happen to be in their path. I've had a moth once or twice literally fly into my mouth while I was talking! Yea, it happened to you too.
Well, my of us find ourselves in the position of this ill fated moth diving directly into the center of the flame. Have you ever wondered why smokers ignore the warning on the pack of most cigarrettes that state "smokers are liable to die young"? its the moth and the flame concept. Otherwise, how do you explain being told by the creator of a product that its bad for you, yet you insist you must have it. It is plain outrageous. Some smokers i spoke to, tell me they never saw the pack till they had become addicted and others say that was not enough to deter them, one thing 90 percent however agree on is that they would love to quit, but they can not.
Alcoholics are moths too, they insist they do not have a drinking problem, many even argue that they are not heavy drinkers at all. Yet they return to their homes everynight in a drunken stupor, barely able to function the next day. These people know that their careers, businesses and relationships suffer yet they continue in this downward spiral.
How about drug addicts, this group of people go to extremes to keep their flames continously burning. f
Feeding their addiction at every turn, similar to alcoholics yet they are distinct because unlike alcoholics who isolate themselves, addicts surround themselves with other addicts making it easier to self destruct. Also only one OverDose of a drug like cocaine or methamphine is enough to deliver the fatal knockout punch.
If you thought drugs was the worst kind of flame, then you have not met women in abusive relationships, true, many of these relationships never start out that way but why remain trapped when a relationship turns violent or abusive? some stay because they fear their lives may be in danger if they choose to leave, some for fear of raising their children alone without support, some because they still harbour the hope that things will change and many others.
For me, this last category is the worst specie of moths. Why? Firstly, a relationship is like a contract with conditions and warranties, love, care, affection etc believe are some of those conditions and warranties which should never be breached. once breached, it becomes fundamental breach which changes the very essence and nature of the contract. Secondly, the flame is fed by fear. Fear of what happens after the flame has been left behind, fear of the unknown. Fear of what people will say, of how other people will feel. FEAR! I accept that it is normal to be afraid smetimes, (i should know, I have this silly fear of cockroaches)but fear becomes unreasonable when it traps you in a dangerous place even when there is the slightest glimmer of the hope in the knowledge that safety exists elsewhere.
Other kinds of flames exists but essentially a flame is anything that has such overwhelming power over you that you are pulled towards it at the expense of your personal wellbeing.
So, to all the moths out there, I say change your specie, rather than remain a moth, become a butterfly. A butterfly is a moth that is active in daytime so it has no reason to be attracted to the flame. How? See that flame right now, visualise it in front of you, now close your eyes on it, turn your back on it and walk away from it. Surround yourself with other sources of light that are not harmful; your family, friends, God the Giver of light. But ultimately come to the realisation that you are all the light you will ever need. You are the light of this world. The light you see in others is a reflection of the light inside you and a reflection can never look better than the real thing!
Never feel alone in your battle to stop an addiction.Talk to someone. Your support group will help you a great deal.
 Here are a couple of links where you can go for help to get started
www.tigweb.org/resources/
www.ezinnearticles.com/?Helping-A-Friend-In-An-Abusive-Relationship&id=242643
http://www.wacolnigeria.org/
www.medikkajournal.com/geneandgin.htm
There are so many other places you can go for help. If you would like more help, send me an email abnefertiti@gmail.com titled the moth and the flame and i'll get back to you as soon as i can.
                                                                                            love nefertiti

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