Dear Ali,
In the six years I have been scrapbooking, I have taken a number of on-line classes. Most of the time, you pay your money and you take your chance.
However, in the case of 31 Things, I found a class that was truly and honestly speaking directly to me on a deeply personal level.
~ Faith ~ Watch ~ Listen ~ Think ~
These four words in particular made me dig deep about how I felt, both with life itself and about my own life. On April 17th, our son was diagnosed with Autism and I had been struggling with how to allow it in to our lives without being consumed by it or defined by it. I know that this is something that touches you and yours deeply, too.
When I blogged about Day 21| Think, my friend Sian commented, “A favourite quote of mine came to mind when I read this. Maya Angelou’s “I can be changed by what happens to me, but I refuse to be reduced by it”.
That was exactly what I was trying to say; I just didn’t have the words.
31 Things gave me my words and so much more.
So, thank you, Ali, for such a wonderful class.
I’ll see you at the next one.
With thanks,
Ruth
All my 31 Things posts can be seen here.
This West London Life 
Ruth, I have enjoyed following your progress through this class so much. I am so happy Ali gave you the means to explore and express your feelings during this time 🙂
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It looks like it was money well spent. xx
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I have thoroughly enjoyed every single one of your 31 Things posts. How wonderful that it came at exactly the right time.
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I have loved these posts – am going to miss them. Glad you have found them so worthwhile xx
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Lovely blog post, Ruth. Also, a quick thank you for the lovely happy mail I received today. It is made more special by the fact that 1)this is my birthday week and 2) I am up to my eyeballs in the stress of moving! My daughter, who is a lover of all things British, is enjoying the flag ribbon you used to tie up the bundle; and I am sure I will find a special use for the journal once I am settled into my new home. Thanks again! ~~Marilyn in New Mexico
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I hope you shared your thoughts with Ali herself. I agree this class has been so inspiring. I love her weekly inspiration emails too.
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I have so enjoyed your responses in this class Ruth..and it seems that it did come at a perfect time for you to work through a lot of issues
Alison xx
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A great post Ruth and I too have enjoyed seeing your pages unfold … wish I could see your album in the flesh though!
I have enjoyed the prompts and the writing, they have been very inpsiring.
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A great post and I completely agree – this has been the best class I've signed up to.
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