Please take the time to read a note left by Ms. Shera Everette after reading an excerpt from my autobiography. I am truly humbled….

The best stories are those that you already know the ending, but the excitement and anticipation still take your breath away.

I was reading the autobiography of an Olympic sprinter today, and it was as though I was watching a Lifetime Original Movie or an Academy Award winner. Every sentence, every paragraph set me up for something major, while offering life lessons and inspiration all along. The crazy thing is that even though I had heard the story before, I read it as though it was my first time — experiencing every emotion along with the writer. The heartbreaks, the disappointments, the victories, the triumphs — all of life’s ups and downs — I witnessed through the words on the page. (There’s a lot to be said about the skill it takes to write such thought-provoking words.)

While she accomplished her lifelong goal of competing on the world’s largest stage, Ms. Lewis is no different from the rest of us. Sure she has medals that symbolize her achievements, and she has memorabilia from the 2008 Beijing Olympics. But she’s still human. She still has human tears, human pain, and human emotions. The only thing that MAY be different from the rest of us is her “Olympic-Sized Perseverance.” Several times during her life, the story could have ended or taken a different route. But she had an expected end and the determination to get her there.

What keeps us all from attaining our expected end? Not one of disappointment and failure, but of success and victory.

*Is it where we come from? If so, it’s time to drop the small-town mentality.

*Is it the critics and the naysayers? If so, let your haters be your motivators.

*Is it a fear of the unknown? If so, tell yourself failure is not an option.

After reading her story, I’ve been inspired to keep the pages turning in my own story until I achieve my expected end. I want my autobiography to have such an exciting ride that even though I will, no doubt, emerge victoriously, every step that takes me higher will be full of new lessons and inspiration. So far, there has definitely been plenty of excitement — but now I’m looking for that Olympic-sized victory!

What about you??

Signing off…SKEverette

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Soooo, yes its been a while. June has been a total month of preparation for the USA Championships, which start Thursday this week. I am excited about making the team to represent USA in the World Championships in Berlin this August. On the track, this has been a different year for me with the changes and all, but I stuck through with the help and support of family and friends. Off the track, I will be glad to say that last week I spoke to my biggest crowd yet as the commencement speaker for Edison High School of Alexandria, VA. It was a total success and I thank God that his message was heard as those seniors prepare for the next phase in their lives. Please keep me in your prayers this week as I approach this turning point. My time is now.

It’s amazing how one moment can change your life. I wrote my first blog back in December in tribute to Rodney Rogers, a former NBA player who was paralyzed after falling from his ATV. Today I have posted a video as an update on his recovery, faith, and support that has allowed him to continue to move forward.

So I am preparing to leave for my trip to California tomorrow. I will be running the 100m at the Adidas Track Classic on Saturday, which will be aired on ESPN2, May 16, 8:00 – 10:00 p.m.  As I have been previously writing, this past month has been a roller coaster ride filled with unsuspected drops, turns, hills, anxiety and anticipation. I have realized that the way I think is so vital to where I end up. I make sure I think Bigger of myself, my expectations, my vision. 2 Corinthians 10:5 says, “Take captive of every thought and make it obedient to Christ.” This has become the premise and foundation of my actions. Actions are the results of thoughts and if I start making every thought I have obedient to Christ, I can’t fail. I take every doubt, fear, temptation captive and command it to be obedient to Christ; to Christ’s love, forgiveness, and POWER. I claim the Blood of Jesus over my mind. I pray that all will allow Jesus to possess you. I pray that Jesus takes the wheel in my life’s joyride.

Below is a message that I received today that helps me keep moving in the midst of uncertainty and change: 

So happy for you and proud of you!! I have been following your blogs so I came across this poem I liked and I thought of you and just wanted to say to keep putting one foot in front of the other and taking your life day by day.  There is a brighter tomorrow that’s just down the road, don’t look back your not going that way!

If Not For You!!!!

I praise you Lord and lift you up,
for you are all to me. If not for you
then what am I,  I would never be.

I give you all the glory and honor, for
everything I do.
And every word that comes from me it’s all because of you.
You give the words for me to use, as I witness here for you.
When I’m not sure of what to say, You’re there to help me through.

I praise you Lord and lift you up, for what you’ve done for me.
If not for you then what i am, I would never be!!

Another person sent me this:

Sunday is coming. Your ressurection is on its way. The dream and promise you have is on its way. God is going to bring you a flourishing finish. Have Faith and Confidence and cast doubt away.

God uses people to communicate his plans. Thank you friends and family for your love and support, which lifts me through my journey.

So  the 115th Penn Relays just passed last weekend, and I must say it was my best one yet. I have been coming to penn since high school. We won the 4×100 here when I ran at South Carolina, but this victory was one that hit the core. With my family in the stands, and this being the first relay the USA has run since we had our Beijing mishap, I was pumped up and ready. The energy in that stadium brought chills to my spirit when I walked in. I was surrounded by over 45,000 true supporters of the sport of Track&Field.

Being that Jamaica had such success at the Olympics, their fans were fired up and ready. Even though they gave us a good run, we pulled it off and brought a victory home. It felt so good to do this for our sport, our country, and ourselves. We bounced back and set the essence of whats to come for this summer’s World Championships.

Before I ran, I had issues with my leg and was trying to decide if I was going to run or not. Then I was reminded by a good friend of mine of the power of the tongue. God gave only humans the gift of speech. We must be reminded of its power, which can either be used for good or destruction. When used in its intent, the tongue can speak healing, blessings, and encouragement. Speak the word against the world! When faced with situations the world brings, speak against it with God’s promises. There is a scripture ready to defeat anything that rises up against you, so be full of the word that nothing has a chance to bring you down. 

Before we ran, they showed a split screen of all four runners, and it caught me on camera, as it appears, to be talking to myself. Well in the moment I was so full of the word, I was speaking every scripture possible to defeat the pain and discomfort that was trying to rise up against me. Well I made it through successfully and we came out victorious!

Choose your words wisely. The tongue is a serious weapon that when used improperly it can be very poisonous. Always remember, Make Your Words Count! (Please read James 3)

So here are the women of my new training group. Each one encourages me daily in their own unique way, especially with the transition of learning new things being a little challenging. So right now I am completely a LEMON in the process of being juiced! I am being pressed down and squeezed to the limit filtering all the good out of me that can be used, leaving what I don’t need behind. In bible study last week, they said that in order for a seed to grow, it needs to be put in the ground. Well practice for me is just that; planting a seed preparing it to grow. I have been completely grounded! Everyday I fail. Everyday I do things completely wrong. Everyday I remember that I still have a lot to learn. It is a filtering process that is allowing me to shed bad habits and reprogram my engine. I have been frightened, but encouraged because I know with God there is no way I will fail. I will be adding sugar to the Lemon I am right now and enjoying the Ice Cold Lemonade that I have made this summer…. Be encouraged to always go forth.

I have been going through a transition in my life and my career in the past few weeks. Life has taken an unexpected turn. I am surrounded with laughter, faith, truth, and favor. I find myself in the middle of people who have God’s powerful annointing in their lives. I witness their daily blessings and feel their progressive energy. How I got here I’m not quite sure. Although unknown of the future, I am sure about one thing. I don’t believe God would bring me to a place to be the odd ball. I will continue to proclaim His favor over my life. I will continue to prepare for my increase in my position in life. And I will root myself in this place of prosperity and favor to grow to new heights. Thank you God for choosing me.

That words means a lot to me as I write. Free. It best describes my current mindest and a person who means the world to me. Its been almost three years that “free” and I have been going through life together and this picture shows the the first day. He is an example of strength, courage, loyalty, determination, and leadership. He has demonstrated love and forgiveness in its unconditional form and I am honored to know him. I write about ”free” as I myself feel free today. Able, strong, determined, and couragous. ”For God did not give us a spirit of fear. But of power, love, and a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7. I encourage you all to believe and hold on to those words. 

Thanks Tremayne for your help today! You have a spirit of joy and sincerity. Move forward in life knowing God’s love for you…