Some things are obviously improbable, and some definitely probable. Many things we really don't know the probability, and we really don't have to calculate it all in terms of odds (I know I don't want to), but if you look closely at current reality and tell the truth, then sometimes you can get a clue to as why something is really quite improbable and not manifesting for you, while it does for others.

Let's say you want to have a publishing company publish your novel. Doesn't matter which company, just any. You visualize it happening, and even apply great emotion to the vision. Years go by, and still nothing—no bites from any agents or publishers. Along the way, perhaps you had some impulses to take an English class, or a writing class, but you ignored these impulses. Perhaps, though you've never been published, you have a strong belief in your ability as a writer, so why take a class? Eventually you get frustrated that your vision is not manifesting. One day, you run into an old college friend—a smart person with whom you used to be close. You rekindle the friendship, and one day you discuss the book. She asks to read it. You hand over your manuscript and a week later you meet up and she gives it back and gives an obligatory "thanks for letting me read it", and she changes the subject. She obviously didn't like it. Your family and friends all said they loved it. How could this be?

You can't let it pass, and after a few minutes of almost begging her to tell the truth, she does.

"It sucked," she says. "There's no story arc and no tension, the characters have no depth, ambiguity or believability, and their desires are unclear. You don't understand how to make paragraphs. You used the word 'suddenly' about 150 times. You mix tenses for absolutely no rhyme or reason. And the ending left me so confused and pissed off that I wanted to punch you. The experience was like watching Plan 9 From Outer Space ."

After you get over your shock and hurt, you take stock of current reality. You now understand that this could bewhy you weren't manifesting the reality of being a published author. You actually might be a lousy writer and your book sucks. There is no reality in which that book gets published by anyone else than you self-publishing on Amazon.

You also realize that you ignored creative impulses along the way. A part of you kept suggesting that you take some classes. These impulses were directly tied to your visualizations, but you didn't make the connection. You now decide to listen to them and decide to become the best writer you can be. You study, take classes, get constructive criticism, and in two years, you reread your novel, and can see clearly how it was no better than a first draft written half asleep. You write something new, give it to people not afraid to tell you the truth, hone it, and end up with a decent novel. You send it out and you get a publisher. You manifest your vision, but along the way you had to make it more probable through creative action (taking classes, working hard, and really learning what good writing is).

The reason was always there, but it was invisible to you.

One of the misperceptions about LOA or creating reality is that it's only a "manifestation" if it comes to you on a platter. If I visualize a cup of coffee in my hand for twenty minutes, and a friend comes over three days later with a cup of coffee for me (without me having to ask) then that is a manifestation. If I visualize one then drive to Starbucks and buy one, then that's not a manifestation. But there's really no difference. The latter is more probable than the former, and that's the only difference. Creative action, which can sometimes be synonymous with hard work, is an equally valid way to manifest. Often by taking action and listening to impulses, the "just comes to you" kind of manifestation happens along the way, but wouldn't have if you didn't get moving.

It's a lot of fun to visualize a blue feather and wait to see if it shows up—a lot of fun, and I don't discourage the game. But the realities or experiences that we desire greatly often need an honest, in depth, and no-holds barred look at core beliefs that we hold, and current reality. Then followed up with creative action to shift the probabilities (whatever they be).

Maybe that relationship isn't materializing because you're kind of a dick. Or maybe your list of requirements for the perfect mate is so vast and detailed—reflecting all your core beliefs, fears, and fantasies, that only you yourself could pass the test. Just like it was satirized on Seinfeld, you're looking for the female version of yourself. And when you meet her she's the most annoying person you ever met, and you send her on her way.