I'm being tested in my resolve these days by my abuser, who after a year, has tried to violate my desire for no contact twice in a week.

I've taken steps to enforce my boundary. So now what?

Well, I recently heard a lecture by a psychologist who reported extensive research on the power of gratitude. Apparently, repeated independent experiments have shown that remembering to be thankful can bring happiness in measurable ways--25% more well being, said one study. Hmm.

However fuzzy or goofy this may seem, I respond to the notion. So, not just in spite of the testing time I'm in but precisely because of it, I wanted to thank everybody here yet again. I try to remember to in most of my posts. Thanks for sharing, for being here day after day.

I'm no pollyanna, believe me. I've seen the dark side of life like we all have here, or we wouldn't be here. But an AA friend said their program has a slogan, "fake it until you make it."

The psychologist I heard on gratitude mentioned that, and said it seems the action of thanking, even when not felt at first, generally helped.

I thought I'd go out on a limb and pass that along. I certainly don't see how it can hurt, and I, for one, can use all the healthy tricks out there.

Thanks!