Working with the universe

So I have been working in my healing and have recently had a spiritual awakening. I have created this amazing relationship with universe and have never felt more at peace with life. But there has been a question I can’t seem to find an answer on. I have seen both sides and understand how both would make sense.

When manifesting the life you want for yourself I know that you have to become the person and live life as if you already have it, and to live everyday in gratitude and be thankful for already receiving it. Then I understand the other half of hard work and working towards what it is that you want and that the universe works for you. Must I find the happy medium between the two things? I have struggled with whether or not to just sit back and be patient while the universe works it out in divine timing or to be proactive and do whatever I can to make it happen on my end as well?