I would credit your mother's response less to "positivity" as I understand it and more to reciprocity, the heart of which is "as you give, so shall you receive" or "treat others as you yourself would like to be treated." I do not really think that all positive thoughts create positive responses. Sometimes, situations occur for reasons which we ourselves do not understand and may not ever understand, at least intellectually. Not all illness, for example, is a result of thinking incorrectly, or negatively. Sometimes, situations occur which may not even be "for" us, though we are bound in them, but for someone or reason outside of ourselves. Though that never puts you "off the hook" for responsible thought and action. Just my thoughts today.