Intentional thinking

Have you noticed that if you start to think intentionally something or if you acquire a certain condition that changes your life (i. e. a disease of some kind) you start to notice people who have the same thing? When I was pregnant, I started to notice lots of other pregnant women. When I grew a long hair I started to notice other women with a long hair. When I wanted to get an eye correction surgery I started taking a note of others who’ve gone through it. Buddhists believe that our thoughts can materialize if we give them enough time and effort. Americans believe in the American Dream coming true. What are the things that YOU intentionally think about and notice?