Positive thinking doesn't change or create reality, (only taking the necessary action to attain your goals does).
wouldn't you say that positve thinking can inspire one to take the necessary actions with which to invoke change, or create a better reality? and if so, then how could someone make the claim that positive thinking does NOT create or change reality?
The Secret, and the so-called "Law of Attraction" it pitched implies that the thoughts themselves are sufficient to alter the universe around you, bringing into existence that better reality or desired change. See, they are divorcing the thoughts from the actions, and turning good advice -focus on your goals, take steps to achieve them, think through your decisions thoroughly, etc.- into silly magical hooey, where in if you want something, wish it hard enough, and you shall have it. They have to, because Americans (well, almost everyone else, too) generally want stuff without making the effort necessary to get it. If they just made the uncontroversial statement that you should focus on your goals, visualize them, think about the requisite antecedents, then make plans with concrete steps you can take to accomplish them, and then act on them, they would just be your mom, and not The Secret, a mysterious new revelation that can change your life and make you rich, famous and generously endowed.
And then there's the blue feather test. This is an example of confirmation bias and anecdotal evidence being used to sell the idea. It is an item common enough that if you weren't actually looking for it, you wouldn't even think about it. Once you decide to "create the reality" of a blue feather, you'll take note of it when you see one, and then the confirmation bias kicks in, and you now have your own anecdote to tell others about how "The Law of Attraction" worked for you.
You're both right, sitting on your butt thinking about what you wish would be won't accomplish anything, but it can inspire you to do something to get what you want.
Yes. There are plenty of people sitting on welfare complaining that they never have any "luck."
Yeah, the room mate I'm sick of hearing bitch about how "this could only happen to me," and "I have the worst luck" is a guy who ignores his responsibilities, wont open his mail or return phone calls, cannot be cajoled, shamed, bribed or threatened into arriving less than an hour late for anything, just turns up the radio when his car starts making funny noises, has serious medical problems that could be treated with proper diet, but wont eat anything but McDonald's and chocolate milk, then he yells at and abuses people when he's actually called out on his bad behavior, or outright lies about it. Not surprisingly, he's not wealthy, successful or married to a beautiful wife, no he's a 40 year old loser who still borrows money from his mom (though last time he asked, she told him to get on welfare

). That's not bad luck, that's what you get for being a total ass. That's called making your own, very bad, luck.
Meanwhile, I have survived 3 heart surgeries, recent tragic deaths in the family, a bitter divorce due to a cheating spouse, and more. Yet, I am always cheerful and positive, and I haven't lost my job or gone broke, and my bills get paid (mostly) on time. I am well liked at work, just won an award with a cash bonus, have a sweet and loving girlfriend, blah, blah and blah. The point is, it's not too hard to be a decent person and get what you want out of life, but feeling sorry for yourself, making excuses and expecting others to clean up all your messes and bail you out when you fuck up is not the way to do it.