I recently finished reading Rhonda Byrne’s book, The Secret, which felt more like an affirmation than a lesson. It dawned on me that I have unknowingly practiced the law of attraction throughout my life.

The driving force behind my application of the law of attraction is my father, my hero. Growing up in care, he transformed into an extraordinary man, demonstrating resilience and a commitment to family and community. As a newspaperman, he served as a soldier, businessman, Scout Master, and community servant. His simple yet stoic approach to life resulted in greatness as a husband, father, and dedicated member of society.

My mother, the yin to my dad’s yang, was another profound influence. A product of a loving family and World War II’s impact, she, too, served the community through hard work. While my dad allowed life to come to him, my mother seized it. I find myself a blend of both, shaped by my father’s life lessons and my mother’s proactive approach.

In my late teens and early twenties, I was an international athlete. Upon retirement, my father gifted me Earl Nightingale’s book, ‘Lead the Field’ and a time management program. These tools have guided me for 50 years, even influencing my mentoring of young people. Reading ‘The Secret’ unveiled that, unknowingly, I had been practising the the law of attraction through Earl Nightingale, my parents’ influence, and my life experiences.

Reflecting on my life now, I recognize the confirmation and understanding of what seemed like luck. It was not luck at all; it was the application of my parents’ teachings. Despite a few unexplained achievements, I realized the correlation: the harder you work, the luckier you get. At 11, I set a goal to become an Olympian, and I achieved it! Similarly, focusing on emulating my parents’ relationship led me to a remarkable 41 year marriage that produced two very talented children.

The countless miraculous occurrences in our business further underscored the power of these teachings. Last month, facing a critical cash requirement jeopardizing our succession plan for the family business turned to a small family office, a solution emerged unexpectedly. My 98 year old mother’s pension, miscalculated by the UK government for the last 80 years, arrived as a significant check in the mail, saving our plan. This revelation, coinciding with my reading of ‘The Secret’, left me astonished and also very grateful, emphasizing the unseen forces at play in our lives.