The Law of Attraction

For several years the Law of Attraction received a great deal of attention. The classic definition is the ability to attract into our lives whatever we focus on. The Law of Attraction uses the power of the mind to translate our thoughts into reality. Another statement would be that we create what we think.

The Law of Attraction is a universal law, but its definition is often distorted, much as the definitions of love and happiness are. The books and films about this law often focus on wealth, and the people who teach the Law of Attraction make a great deal of money infusing enthusiasm for making money into the minds of people who are strongly attracted to that goal, which is highly prized in society.

But the above definition of the Law of Attraction has significant problems. To name just a few:

• Many people simply are not equipped to attract or maintain what they focus their thoughts on. They may focus on making money, for example, but if they have no skills that contribute to that end goal, they can’t realize their goals. How many high school athletes focus with all their intensity on becoming a professional athlete, only to discover that they don’t possess the requisite talent—not even close. I have seen people focus on being a great parent—another example—but they do not become great parents because they were never given the unconditional love or the teaching that are absolutely required to effectively raise a responsible and loving child.
• People focus on a thing with their thought, but not with their efforts. I can focus on winning the 400-meter run at the Olympics, but it doesn’t matter how much I focus with my thoughts if my training consists of lying on the couch while eating chocolate cake.
• People sometimes focus their thoughts on goals that are not good for them. I have seen people focus on success at work, and achieve complete success, but then lose everything else in life that matters: love, peace, family, and more. I know a man who focused on being the best video game player possible, and he became very good, but at age forty-five he was still playing video games—with no other kind of life at all—in his mother’s basement.

So, how DOES the Law of Attraction work? We do attract things and people and feelings, but we do that with what we BELIEVE, not just what we think. Belief—or faith—is distinguished in a striking way from simple thought by ACTION, intent, and persistence. A few examples:

• “I feel worthless.” This is both a feeling and a belief, and most people struggle with it from time to time, while for some people it’s the bedrock of all their beliefs. If you believe you’re worthless, you will project that belief everywhere you go—with your facial expression, posture, tone of voice, choice of words, and even the intangible energy you project. People can feel that belief, and there are always plenty of empty people who temporarily feel better by getting a sense of power from using others. These “users” can spot your sense of worthlessness in an instant. They can smell it, and their using makes you feel even smaller, even more worthless. Worthless attracts worthless.
• “I feel confident.” When I feel confident, I can see and feel obstacles move out of my way. I attract people who want to feel similarly confident and who can sense that I will get things done. I get far more opportunities to practice difficult tasks, and as I succeed—even as I fail—my sense of growth and confidence increase. Confidence attracts confidence.
•  “I feel afraid.” Fear spreads like a fire, within myself and to the people around me. Just as a single match can ignite a forest fire of unimaginable power, so can a spark of fear cause similar destruction. When I’m afraid I make more mistakes, which promotes more fear, and adds to the fear the people feel around me. Fear is also the greatest component to stress, and this causes physical problems. I knew a man once who was afraid he had heart disease, so his fear provoked chest pains—just from stress, not heart disease. He was afraid of having something wrong with his brain, so he began to experience flashing lights “behind his eyes.” Fear attracts more fear, stress, and failure.

The Law of Attraction is real. Whatever you fervently believe—as demonstrated by your thoughts, actions, intent, and persistence—does have a powerful tendency to manifest itself in reality.