Blogs : Jason Richardson

The Testimony: The Plain Vision

I’m a Renaissance Man, the last of a dying breed.  I don’t take well to categorization and I make it my life’s purpose to buck stereotypes.  I’m insane enough to think I can do everything and the impossible all in the same breath.  I’m anomalistic and enigmatic and I make no apology for it.  My sneaker game comes in more colors than a pack of skittle but you sure as hell won’t find me in a tall tee from footlocker.  My dreads will be ‘urban’ but you will laugh at me ‘locking the car doors’ through the hood on the way to get them retwisted ritually (so I’m kidding… but some black people do make me nervous, lol).  So what I love fried chicken? Does that mean I can’t drench it with hot sauce while washing it down with Merlot while listening to the prodigious pianist Chopin?  I’ll grab my ipod and bounce from a classic respectful Luther joint to a raunchy Lil’ Wayne track, to upbeat 80’s music, to a country joint or gospel and never miss a note or a lyric in the process.  I toe the line between confident and cocky and can’t stand myself some days and other days I’m in complete undying love with myself.  I’ve learned to love the fool in me and think my imperfections are endearing marks of character.  Guess you can say they don’t make people like me anymore; some say because I’m worthy of the short bus, I say because I don’t care how I get there as long as the bus stops at happiness, affluence, and Olympic gold.

All that being said, I firmly believe that we are all sum totals of our experiences.  I’ve chosen to database my own for easier retrieval.  My inability to fit in for years have led me to critique what constitutes normalcy and if I’m striving for an unattainable standard.  Haha I think I’ve already answered that question.  These blogs are known for their rawness and comedy but rarely for spiritual insight.  If i am to truly claim to be a ‘life decathlete’, I’ve got to touch all bases even when unpopular.  I’ve embraced my ‘weirdness’ in attempts at relating to masses that I’m sure feels the same sentiments.  Some may misunderstand the nature of this blog but…Jesus, Gandhi, and Martin Luther the Kang were all misunderstood so I’ll be in good company.  If you know the Lord like I know him, put on some soft gospel and grab a bible cause ‘I gots-a testimony!’ so here it goes….

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I owe my family everything.  My mother raised me in the church and I remember saying an Easter speech with a red bow tie and a pair of grey cowboy boots that went so HARD back in the day (remember I’m from Texas kids, lol) I curse too much and drank a bit too much more (that’s definitely not correct grammar J).  I’m too hard on myself and others and I’ll read facebook statuses more than my bible BUT… I still TRY to live right; recognizing my faults and do better each day.  I’m honest and real when I say it’s a struggle in college to even FIND the right thing let alone DO the right thing.  I’m not perfect, and frankly life would be boring as hell if I was, but that doesn’t mean I can’t stop trying to be.  My boy Carjay said it best, “I may not be perfect, but I’m perfectly me,” I like the quote even though I still think he a broke azz Langston Hughes! lol As far as track is concerned, God’s given me the gift and I will stop at nothing till I beat the breaks of my talent.  God’s been with me every step of the way this season and I dedicated my season to him and to the late Aaron Aviani, former USC Massage Therapist.

My prayer before ever race is for health and my best.  I’m just glad to be on the track these days and I give thanks for even the smallest blessings.  I stepped out on faith during the later part of the indoor season when a bible verse really spoke to my spirit.

"Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry."—Habakkuk 2:1-3, King James Bible

I decided that my vision would be my track and field times and the tables upon which I would make them plain would be a raggedy notepad at the Clarion Hotel in Arkansas during indoor SEC’s.  I jotted some times down that were WAY off my pr and believed I could run them because I know that the faith of a mustard seed can move mountains.  I’d love to tell you I hit those times at SEC’s but I damn sure didn’t.  I ran yet another 7.7, lost, and thought about getting the time tatted on my right arm since I’d run in the 7.7 range for 4 YEARS!  Well…at this point my faith couldn’t move a pebble let alone move a mountain so I just went back to my generic, simple prayers while I ran at the Last Chance Meet.

By the time I’d finish competing at NCAA Indoor Championship I knew without a doubt that faith is essential to my competitive success.  The appointed time was at Nationals and not SEC’s and because I waited for it, it surely came and did not tarry!  I had run what I wrote down on the hotel notepad almost to the T!  Weeks prior to NC’s my hand was guided to run 7.65prelims 7.51 finals on the hotel notepad and though I was but a few tenths off the finals time the mere fact that I was so close to the vision was enough to have me shoutin’ in praise!  Some may say it’s just coincidence, but I respond by saying, "coincidence is when God chooses to remain anonymous."  I can remember being in the stands at Nationals sitting with my parents damn near on the verge of tears because I finally felt like I was growing spiritually.  Id always prayed, I’d always tried to do the right thing but yet I was lost for so long.  Track and field has drawn me closer to him and since then I haven’t been the same…

Since nationals my season has be nothing short of a fairytale.  I’m running faster than I thought possible and I’ve tested my faith each time I’ve stepped on the starting line.  I know there are a lot of unbelievers and I’m not here to convert anyone.  I’m not saying that I’m better than my competitors because I’m a Christian and I’m not here to berate any individual who puts faith in themselves before a higher power.  ALL I’m here to say is as far as me and my house…we are gonna serve the Lord.  In my life, Jesus is ride or die and I would have it no other way! In the end, I hope this shows another size of Jason beyond comedic anecdotes and emotional randomness.  If I’m to do the impossible this season, it’s going to take Faith AND works because “Faith without Works is Dead” – James 2:20

Till next time be blessed, but more importantly stay blessed…

yes yes

4:49 PM, May 2, 2008 .. Posted by Anonymous

once again - great post... keep writing.... keep up your faith....and keep killing em on the track!

\"...joy comes in the morning.\"

5:30 PM, May 2, 2008 .. Posted by Anonymous

tears in my eyes
<br>you do get it!
<br>\"now run like the wind, Grasshopper\"
<br>see you next week

Amen!

5:33 PM, May 2, 2008 .. Posted by ladagen

Preach on Preacher!!!!!!!! Stay inspired and don't let ANYTHING change your faith

Edited by ladagen on May 2, 2008 at 5:33 PM

Congratulations

6:29 PM, May 2, 2008 .. Posted by Anonymous

I love reading your blogs but this was inspirational. Faith is always the answer.

say that

7:52 PM, May 2, 2008 .. Posted by Anonymous

though it tarry wait for it...No one can't tell me that the Bible isn't poetic! as you have already heard from previous comments you have a gift when it comes to words and track (do I smell a book authorship).

Relationships with God are dynamic. We, for the most part, know God can do great things. But when he does, it always shocks us. That's what I love abt God ;0

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12:45 AM, May 3, 2008 .. Posted by Rome

Great Blog.Very inspirational and well written.
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<br>On a side note: I walked pasted you at Penn, I wanted to say what up but I didn\'t want to seem like a groupie.

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2:41 AM, May 3, 2008 .. Posted by UnrTrack

hahaha Romans post was too funny about bein a groupie.

But I'm glad you gave your testimony (i had a sort of version not too long ago). And i feel ya on the spiritual aspect, On my other blog i go deeper into that, but i love how you've talked about it here.

Don't stress on the 'weirdness' aspect, to me that means you are probably doing somethin right in a world with so much wrong. Keep up your faith! (and stay off the facebook updates ahahaha)

Best in everything, Kali

FORREAL!!!

3:30 AM, May 3, 2008 .. Posted by King C

SO I'M A BROKE ASS LANGSTON HUGHES NOW? The ONE time I come to read your blog, you talking noise, lol... When I first made that quote, you challenged me, now you sharing it...just like a N..........

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10:42 AM, May 3, 2008 .. Posted by Phenom583

Dude, you are an evil genius! Flaws and all! Keep doing you and continue to inspire; on your terms, of course.

Love it JaRich

9:54 PM, May 3, 2008 .. Posted by Anonymous

Another great post JaRich! I look forward to your post all the time and frankly you don't post often enough! I was glad to see you run well at Penns and I was glad you acknowledge us crazy TS folks. LOL! I'm so glad to see you healthy and strong again. And I'm proud to say that after his family I 'm his #1 Groupie! LOL! Pooda loves u sweetie. Take care and may God continue to bless you with health, speed & safety.

Faith

9:15 PM, May 4, 2008 .. Posted by Anonymous

God Bless You J.R!!! All things are possible to those that believe - Jesus Christ.

Keep doing your thing in the hurdles. It's time for someone to break Nehemiah's record (13.00). Who better else to do it than a man of God.

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2:00 AM, May 5, 2008 .. Posted by Anonymous

that was deep!!!! Just what I needed after a horrible meet. Am going to work on my faith and forever relying on god. thAnks J.rich....
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12:39 PM, May 5, 2008 .. Posted by Anonymous

all praise and honour to our father jesus christ..who with him all things are possible

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2:41 PM, May 5, 2008 .. Posted by Coach Jackson/3-D Flash

Hey Jason I wanted to drop a message and let you know how proud of you I am. You make remember me from the Park and Recreation department with Coach Grace. I have watch you grow to a wonderful mature men with a promising career. Keep up the good work. Remember 3-D (Desire-Decatation-Determination) You made myself and coach Grace proud!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THANKS

1:41 AM, May 26, 2008 .. Posted by Anonymous

your blog was my favorite by far, you are an incredibly gifted writer as well. and i will enjoy watching you hopefully win the gold at the ncaa's in mid june on CBS. Believe in yourself and relax and its a wrap son. peace