Walking Purposefully
Tags: Gaby

Posted on April 16, 2010 by gaby

From Richmond, Virginia

Trail of Dreams

This blog is didicated to all those whom have liberated themselves from their own fears and automatically liberated others. THANK YOU!

We have entered VA. Its our last state in this journey. We have taken millions of steps, met hundreds of people, and gone through every human emotion possible. We are almost there!

101 days ago we were at the steps of the freedom tower pouring our hearts out and telling our families that we would be back soon, that we would be safe. That seems like it was years ago. We decided to walk because we were tired of the situation millions of students and their families were in, because we love and respected this country, and because it was our duty and responsibility to do something.

As we entered Virginia, as generally happens, people stop to ask if we are okay and if we needed a ride. Our response to this question changes from person to person. It was difficult to get used to the accents of the people here and when the lady and her husband asked if we were with the camper ahead, it took us a few minutes to realize she was talking about the RV. We replied and said, “yes, we’re okay…we are walking purposefully.” When I said it, they smiled and left, and the words resonated with me as I put one foot in front of the other and noticed there were little rocks on the ground shining with the reflection of the sun. I picked one off the ground –the shiniest I had seen and thought to myself that it was a symbol of who we are.

We have shared our stories and continue to do so because we want this world to see the light through us. It is the light of truth about our immigrant experiences and stories. For too long we have allowed others to speak on our behalf. For too long we have allowed for the media to spread lies and hateful comments of our people. As we are getting closer to our goal, Washington DC, I feel that the light we have been emitting throughout the South, from Florida to Georgia, to the Carolinas and now Virginia –this light of mine is shining stronger than ever.

I write today particularly because we still need your help, support and valor. We need more and more people to come out and share their stories; to stand up in solidarity with our immigrant bothers and sisters and share our humanity. We have been in the dark for too long and it is time allow the sun to reflect off of us and show who we really are. Our stories are powerful our dreams are big come out on May 1st, do an action, tell a friend, write a letter, sign our petition at Trail2010.org

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. John 1:5

This passage is the passage the Ramsey Memorial Church in VA used in the welcome poster they did for us. To me, it is another confirmation of God's desire for us to spread the light and love for humanity as a whole. We are doing the right thing. We are walking purposefully. Walk with me.

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.



Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us.

We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous,
talented and fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be?

You are a child of God.

Your playing small does not serve the world.

There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other

people won't feel insecure around you.

We were born to make manifest the glory of
God that is within us.

It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone.

And as we let our own light shine,
we unconsciously give other people
permission to do the same.

As we are liberated from our own fear,
Our presence automatically liberates others.

—Marianne Williamson
link to http://www.trail2010.org/blog/2010/apr/16/walking-purposefully/