It started on a quiet evening when I was sitting at my desk, staring at an old vision board I made years ago. The corners had curled, the images had faded, but something about it still pulled me in. There was a photo of a woman standing on a mountain, arms open wide. Another of a cozy apartment filled with plants and sunlight. And in the center, a small handwritten note: “Everything I desire is already on its way.”
Back then, I didn’t fully believe it. I thought the law of attraction was something people talked about to feel better about their lives, not something that could actually change them. But slowly, through a mix of curiosity, trial, and a lot of reflection, I realized that this wasn’t about magic. It was about awareness, mindset, and energy.
Today, I can look back and say this practice has shaped so much of who I’ve become, not because everything I wanted showed up overnight, but because I learned how to align what I think, feel, and do.
The First Shift: What You Focus On Grows
There was a phase in my life when I kept saying, “Why is everything so hard?” Work was stressful, I felt stuck, and even small challenges seemed to pile up. My journal was filled with complaints disguised as reflections.
One morning, I decided to write something different. Instead of focusing on what went wrong, I wrote about one thing that went right. Just one. That day, it was as simple as “I had a good cup of tea.”
It sounds small, but something clicked. My attention began to shift from what was missing to what was present. I started noticing the little signs of progress, the tiny wins, the kind people I met.
Psychologists call this the reticular activating system, the part of our brain that filters what we notice. When you think a certain way, your brain starts scanning the world to confirm it. If you repeat, “I’m unlucky,” you’ll spot evidence of that everywhere. But if you start saying, “I’m supported,” you’ll notice moments that prove it true.
I didn’t change my reality overnight. I changed the lens I was looking through. And slowly, the world began to look different.
The Vision Board That Changed My Mind
The first vision board I ever made was during high school in Vietnam. I filled it with random travel photos, inspiring quotes, and dream goals I wasn’t sure I could ever reach. Years later, I found myself living parts of that board: studying abroad, meeting incredible mentors, and working on projects that once felt out of reach.
I realized that creating a vision board wasn’t about predicting the future. It was about clarifying what I truly wanted and reminding myself of it every day.
When I came back to Vietnam, I made another one. This time it included three things:
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A lotus lake representing peace
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A microphone representing purpose and voice
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A finish line from an Ironman race representing growth and strength
Months later, each of those things found their way into my life. I sat by a lotus lake one morning feeling a deep sense of calm. I stood on a stage giving my first TEDx talk. And I crossed the finish line of my first Ironman 70.3 with tears in my eyes.
Was it coincidence? Maybe. But I believe the real power of visualization lies in how it changes you internally. When you can see something clearly, your mind starts to accept it as possible. You begin to act differently, make choices that align with that vision, and open doors that once seemed invisible.
If you want to try it, start small:
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Choose 3 to 5 images that represent your values, not just material goals
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Place your board somewhere you’ll see it every day
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Spend one minute each morning looking at it and feeling the emotions behind each image
It’s not about forcing outcomes. It’s about reminding yourself of what feels true to you.
Gratitude: The Secret Ingredient
For years, I misunderstood gratitude. I thought it meant pretending to be happy all the time or ignoring what was difficult. But true gratitude is different. It’s about noticing what’s still good even when things aren’t.
During a period of uncertainty, when work felt heavy and my future unclear, I began a simple habit. Every night, I wrote down three things I was grateful for. Sometimes it was a friend’s text. Sometimes it was a peaceful walk after work. Sometimes it was just “I got through today.”
Within weeks, my outlook softened. My days didn’t magically become perfect, but I became more peaceful. Gratitude changed the tone of my thoughts. It made space for joy in between the chaos.
Neuroscientists have found that gratitude increases serotonin and dopamine, the feel-good chemicals in our brain. It literally rewires how we perceive our experiences.
Now, whenever I feel anxious about the future, I come back to gratitude. It reminds me that I’ve already received so much and that I can trust the process of what’s yet to come.
Here’s what helps me keep my gratitude practice real and simple:
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Write down just 3 things every night
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Don’t repeat the same ones too often
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Be specific: “my morning run in the soft rain” feels more powerful than “exercise”
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If you skip a day, don’t guilt yourself. Come back when you can
The law of attraction starts with appreciating what already exists. Because when you truly believe life is abundant, it keeps proving you right.
Inspired Action: Meeting the Universe Halfway
The law of attraction isn’t just about thinking. It’s about doing, but with intention.
When I first heard the phrase “inspired action,” I thought it meant constant hustle. But inspired action feels lighter. It’s the quiet nudge that tells you to reach out to someone, to sign up for a course, to take a small step that feels aligned even if it’s scary.
When I was preparing for my first Ironman race, I used to visualize myself crossing the finish line. But it was the daily action, waking up early, training in the rain, pushing through fatigue, that made it real. The visualization gave me direction, but my effort gave it form.
I see the same pattern in building Sunny Valley. The vision came first, but what keeps it alive is consistent, mindful action: writing, recording, learning, connecting. Each small step becomes a signal to the universe that says, “I’m ready.”
You don’t have to know every step. You just need to take the next one with faith and clarity.
Ask yourself:
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What would the version of me who already has this goal do today?
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What one small action can I take that feels aligned, not forced?
Action grounded in trust always attracts momentum.
Living in Alignment
After years of practicing these principles of clarity, gratitude, visualization, and action, I’ve realized that the law of attraction isn’t about controlling outcomes. It’s about creating alignment.
When your thoughts, emotions, and actions are in harmony, life feels different. You stop fighting against the current and begin to flow with it.
For me, living in alignment looks like:
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Starting mornings with meditation and journaling
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Moving my body, whether it’s training or walking mindfully
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Choosing gratitude even on messy days
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Surrounding myself with people who uplift my energy
Of course, I still have doubts. There are days when I question everything. But that’s part of the practice: returning to faith after fear, choosing love after worry, and remembering that energy flows where attention goes.
The law of attraction works not because the world changes for you, but because you change how you show up to the world.
The Gentle Truth
When people ask me if I believe in the law of attraction, I tell them this: I believe in energy. I believe in clarity. And I believe in action guided by faith.
It’s not magic. It’s mindfulness in motion.
Over the years, I’ve seen that what I focus on expands. When I live from gratitude and purpose, life reflects that back to me. When I’m lost in fear or doubt, I attract more confusion. The law of attraction is simply a mirror. It reflects what you are ready to see.
If you’re new to this, start gently.
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Write one affirmation each morning that feels true for you
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Visualize one small goal as if it’s already done
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Take one action that moves you closer to it
You don’t need to get everything right. You just need to stay open.
What Has Worked for Me
After years of practice, here’s what I know to be true:
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Clarity creates direction. You attract what you clearly understand and emotionally connect with.
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Gratitude multiplies joy. It turns ordinary moments into reminders of abundance.
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Visualization activates belief. When your mind sees it, your body follows.
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Action builds trust. Every step you take tells the universe you’re serious.
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Alignment sustains flow. When your values and actions match, peace follows naturally.
This isn’t a quick fix. It’s a lifelong practice of becoming more conscious of how you think and feel.
If there’s one message I want you to take away, it’s this:
You don’t attract what you want. You attract what you are ready to receive.
So instead of chasing, start aligning. Instead of forcing, start flowing.
And trust that what’s meant for you will never miss you.
Books That Deepened My Practice
If you’d like to understand the law of attraction and manifestation on a deeper level, these books have guided me and many others:
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“The Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle – A powerful reminder that presence is where true creation begins.
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“Ask and It Is Given” by Esther and Jerry Hicks – The classic guide that explains vibrational alignment in simple, practical ways.
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“The Secret” by Rhonda Byrne – The book that popularized the concept of the law of attraction for a modern audience.
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“The Magic” by Rhonda Byrne – A 28-day gratitude journey that helps train your mind to focus on abundance.
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“You Are the Placebo” by Dr. Joe Dispenza – A fascinating look into how thoughts and beliefs can physically transform our reality.
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“Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill – Though written decades ago, it remains one of the most practical books on belief, clarity, and persistence.
If you enjoy reading about mindfulness and manifestation, you might also love my other post on mindfulness books that changed my life, available on Sunny Valley Book club.