JESSE OWENS, A DREAMER!

A dream mixed with confidence, determination, persistence, and strong faith is destined to become a reality. The bigger the dream, the bigger the rewards. Jesse Owens was a world-class athlete who was told that because he was African American, there was no way he could compete on the same level as the German, Aryan athletes of Nazi Germany. Hitler came to the games but refused to
greet this black athlete from the United States.

What Hitler did not know was that Jesse Owens was a skilled athlete who had prepared himself, but, more importantly, he was armed with a dream and great faith. The 1936 Olympics were held in Berlin. The Nazi athletes were cheered while Jesse Owens and the other American athletes were booed. Jesse did not worry about the boos or the snub by Hitler. He just concentrated on his dream. He continued to dream even after having a ‘‘foot fault’’ three times. He mixed his dream with his faith and on his final attempt he jumped, and won! He walked away from those Olympics with four gold medals, one for every event he participated in! A dream mixed with massive faith, confidence, and determination will always change your destiny.

-Willie Jolley, excerpt from the book, It Only Takes A Minute To Change Your Life