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March Women’s Month- The Impact of a Queen– That saved entire Nation from Genocide and helped establish the basis of our first two Amendments. How a Queen used her subtle discernment, charm, influence, and persuasion to Save her Nation
By: Charles W. Boatright, CEO & President of THE QATSPY®
Ladies, if you ever think that you don’t have an impact on your future or the future of others, let me introduce to you a woman who was exiled that became queen of the Persian Empire. Esther was an exile that had no pedigree, no experience in politics, or any influence or education in shaping legislation.
This young lady, Esther, an Israeli exile in Iran, developed an unappreciated and obscured talent of discernment that shaped the history of her nation and centuries later.
In aviation we are trained to develop and use a skill called Situation Awareness, based on Discernment. Discernment propelled Esther not just to Queen status in the Persian Empire, but to a position of authority in one of the world’s leading empires of culture, technology, engineering, and arts.
Esther also had influence on one of our Nation’s most sacred documents, the Bill of Rights, in providing the basis for the first two Amendments.
Esther 8:11
…The king allowed the Jews who were in every city to gather (Freedom of Religion, Speech, and Association 1st Amendment) and defend their lives, to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate any armed force of any people or province that might attack them, (Right to bear arms to protect and defend themselves and property 2nd Amendment).
In 579 BC, the Babylonians were ruled by Nebuchadnezzar, who conquered Jerusalem and took the captures to Syria. Then 40- years later, in 539, the Persians, ruled by Ahasuerus (ä-häs-ū-ē-rūs), conquered Babylon. This took the Israelis captives from Syria and moved them to Iran.
Where are some points from Esther’s life:
Recognizing an Opportunity is Key Component of Discernment
Esther was adopted by her uncle Mordecai who had a significant influence over Esther as being a mentor developing one of her capabilities of discernment, or being aware of hazards and opportunities.
Just a side note- Whenever I read about Mordecai, I often think of one of Clint Eastwood’s movies, High Plains Drifter. Mordecai was one of the characters in the movie.
What is unique about opportunities is that they can appear when we least expect them to appear.
In Esther’s case, the Persian King, Ahasuerus, was looking for a Queen to become his wife. There was a request that went out to all the provinces of the Persian Empire for young eligible women to be brought to Susa in southeast Iran to be chosen as Queen of the Persian Empire. I would think that would be a pretty good opportunity.
Mordecai not only saw a huge opportunity for Esther, but for their nation to be able to have recognition and contribute in an empire that was only exceeded by Alexander The Great and later the Roman Empire. Mordecai helped Esther to exert herself and see possibilities that couldn’t even be plausible or imagined in a life of exile. This is one of the significant benefits of discernment.
Discernment is also a significant part of our FAITH or – the quality of being able to grasp and comprehend what is obscure.
The Life Lessons from the Book of Esther
The Preparation
There is one thing about success and achievement, it isn’t instantaneous but has obstacles to comfort on the way and overcome. It took Esther a year of prepping before she even got her opportunity to be bought before the King (Esther 2:12). Probably the most important phase of one’s life and success is preparation and honing one’s talents, skills, and listening to mentors that are trustworthy.
This is where it is important to encourage ladies to participate in women’s sports; because of the conditioning, training, confidence, and preparation that is required. Sports prepares young ladies for other fields than just sports. Title IX (9) has opened unbelievable opportunities for women on such a national stage characterized by the 2023 Women’s NCAA Tournament.
The more women develop in sports the more competitive, stronger, skilled, and confident they are in their life.
Be Situational Aware
Mordecai became aware of threats to the king’s life and informed Esther to notify the King who, after being informed, investigated and found the threat to be legitimate. Ladies, one of your biggest components you have is your discernment, self defense, and being aware of threats. Listen to your gut and just don’t dismiss what you are feeling.
If you have no way to avoid the threat by escaping or causing attention, then you will have to defend yourself with what you have, keys, a simple BIC pen, or my favorite resource of mine, a locking tactical pocket knife. Insert and twist for maximum affect.
The throat and eyes will be your first target areas to hit. As soon as you disable your threat, escape and get help. Always keep your key handy and accessible. You hear keep your friends close; and keep your enemy closer. During an attack if you can’t escape, get as close to the attacker that you can, and deliver the stabbing to what area you have available.
Make a Case for Your Cause Respectfully
Most arguments failed because proponents don’t respect the process nor the rights of others, what we call sportsmanship. Your success will be based on you developing your case with conviction, facts, and courage in presenting your cause. You got to earn the respect not just of those of your supporters but those you are making your case before.
Most cases are lost due to emotions based arguments and insults. I tell people that the worst thing that you can do in a debate is to disrespect and underestimate your opponent. Respectfully, make your case on facts and strong beliefs without insults. (Esther 4:11)
The Courage to Confront
We need to have the courage and will to confront aggression even if it is to someone else besides us. We need to step in to help defend the helpless in verbal or physical aggression. Because what happens to someone else might just be at your doorstep next. You can make your grievance known without showing or being verbally or physically aggressive (Esther 4:13-14) . Facts often win out when tested- (1 Thessalonians 5:21).
Your Strength of Faith and Perseverance
We often refer to our cognitive ability as the most powerful force on earth by having a never give up positive attitude aided with moments of meditation, yoga, exercise, reading and writing. In Isaiah 30:15 In quietness and confidence shall be your strength. This is why a independent free press is essential without tether to outside influences.
The most inspiring and motivating parts of my life is when I can meditate, exercise, fast, pray, read and have time to write my sports page. If you want to explore your soul then dedicate time to meditating, exercising, reading, and writing, it will change your entire life. There are two points in our lives- when we were born and the other is when we discover the reason for why we were born. I would love to have a platform before thousands to present my philosophies and hear others.
But the fact is I don’t have such a platform, but what I do have is a desire to write mainly my Saturday’s Sports Page based on health, and fitness related stories. We all have the ability to express our thoughts in black & white with images in the media we have available.
Make time for yourself sometime during each day to enjoy a cup of coffee and meditate on issues that concern you the most or memories that make your life fulfilled like work you did, encouragement you gave, or help you provided.
I also encourage you ladies to exercise, especially since cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death among women.
Your workout doesn’t have to be aggressive to be beneficial. Just include Cardio-Aerobics and Strength Training in your workout. You can do as little as three exercise sessions a week for 20-minutes during each exercise. (Esther 4:16 and 1 Corinthians 9:24-27)
Ladies you can use a boxing bag workout as a great full body cardio-aerobic workout and as meditation. I use my workout period as what I refer to as my active mediation.
Ladies, your best fashion statement regardless of your age is your fitness that is like an age-defying treatment that no clinic or plastic surgeon can provide for the cost. Strength training you might think involves strengthening your muscles with heavy weights; but you are actually strengthening and toning your skin with lightweights based on reps and not weight.
In the photograph below that was taken in our hangar, I’m 66 years old modeling for our Cockpit Aviation Sportswear Apparel.
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