Knowledge
Your LOA Stories: The Law of Attraction is Real
Sep 2nd
Today I received my first submission to “The Law of Attraction in Action” from Twitter friend L.Marie.
This is her story.
The Law of Attraction is Real
By: L.Marie
The Law of Attraction is real. I have always used the Law of Attraction in my life without knowing the terminology. Growing up I used visualization to obtain all that I desired. However, it wasn’t until two years ago, when I was given the book Ask and it’s Given by Esther and Jerry Hicks, that I learned the terminology and changed my views.
Using the Law of Attraction is not only about putting an idea out into the Universe; it is about taking that idea and matching it with your emotions. If you want to have more money, and you put the intention out there, but you are feeling fear or inadequacy, you will not have more money. It is all about your thoughts matching your vibrations and emotions.
I have had success with the Law of Attraction and I have had ‘failure’. I put failure in quotations because whatever you put out into the Universe will manifest, but it might not transpire quickly or the way you imagine. I have used the Law of Attraction for all things, love, career, money, and more. The most obvious success story I had using the Law of Attraction, was when I manifested four additional months of an internship stipend. When I graduated from school in May of last year, my internship stipend was supposed to conclude. A few weeks before I graduated I put into the Universe I needed money up until August. I didn’t know where the money was coming from, but I knew I was going to be fine. The next month when I looked in my bank account I had received a direct deposit from the school. Even though I was done with school, from May up until August, I received a direct deposit. I did not question it, because it was the Law of Attraction and I had manifested the money through my positive thoughts and vibrations.
www.closedlids.com , www.anewm00n.blogspot.com , www.twitter.com/closedlids
If you would like to submit a short story (200 words) on “The Law of Attraction in Action.”please email me on lisad@thelastdegree.com.
I am looking for your everyday stories of success in family, health, wealth, relationships, and career.
Market Stall research Day 2
Aug 16th
Saturday @ The Mathilda Markets
It was bright and early Saturday and I needed to drop the girls off at my parents before breakfast to be at the market to set up by 7am. N needed the day to dig up the yard and my parents had offered to dress the girls in My Island Baby designer wear as little models later in the day. The Mathilda markets are only held about five times a year in each capital city and showcases the most gorgeous baby and kids goods. Stall holders are chosen to deliver divine and original clothing, accessories, homewares and toys.
We had our three trolleys of clothes, a banner proudly displayed at the back and a table showcasing signature items such as baby bloomers and singlet dresses.
It was hard work.

Working the stall at the Mathilda Markets
The three of us worked for the full two hours setting up before the first round of shopping mums and dads arrived. Women and children, prams and babies soon filled the aisles. Quickly pointing out the benefits of each item, “The dresses will become skirts or which dresses will be tops” highlighting the multiple uses of different items to maximise the value. We did well and it was fun. My little girls were a highlight – wonderfully dressed and sold the products just as well. My mother later said I should pay the girls in an account for each modelling assignment.
Compared to the Southbank markets the Mathilda Markets hit the target market. Further benefits included the stalls are held indoors and it is only a short fast paced day (9am to 1pm). Although the other stall holders are within our target market each one had a different and high quality product to sell. Competition was high but we still reached our daily sale goal.
Conclusion
Success. Will book in for the Christmas Mathilda markets in November.
In search of Graphic Design
Aug 11th
Since re-launching my blog and finding new forums and reading some awesome blogs, I have had an itch to learn Photoshop, Illustrator and graphic design. My main motivation is to learn how to design a wonderful new Theme for my blog and take better photos. The library has a heap of online teach your-self text books but I want to do more. I have always said, “My only VHA (very high achievement) at school was Art and then I enrolled in science.” At the time I could not see a career as an artist and it’s only now do I have a real creative itch to do something. It’s not that I am busy enough but I have been researching what course options I have in Brisbane. There is TAFE, a private college, short courses at Griffith Uni College of Art or the Bachelor Degree of Graphic Art at almost all Universities.
All week I was looking forward to the Griffith University Open day last Sunday to have a look at their courses advertised and I confess we were really disappointed. The agenda advertised, “international food, creative markets by students, galleries, talks and demonstrations.” We got the girls ready in super cute jerseys, packed two single prams, paid for parking and off we went. The “International food” was the canteen, the creative market was one stall with nude art photos and the questions I asked at the design stall was quite depressing. Obviously it was a while since I left high school and when I queried about part-time, they looked at my pram and said I would have to work around childcare. All these parents accompanying their high school children and here I was with two prams. Never felt so out of place. Is uni really only for 18 year olds? I might just look into TAFE or short courses instead.
Catching up with the Mumpreneurs!
Aug 10th
When I moved from scientist into the start-up business world I spent some time managing the Queensland Government Ideas2Market workshops. The series of workshops were aimed at novice inventors or “backyard” entrepreneurs introducing them to new skills in starting up a business and selling their ideas. We covered sessions on feasibility, business planning, intellectual property, market research and entry strategies for start-ups, accessing funding, government grants and commercialisation. I met many wild and wonderful people wanting to make it big with their ideas and I confess I did become a bit sceptical by the magnitude of money and time it takes to take an idea to market especially in the science and technology industry. However one market that I failed to research five years ago was the exploding number of mummy entrepreneurs or mumpreneurs. And wow am I now very impressed!
So now I am a mum and still work in commercialisation and only now am I realising the huge market of mummy home businesses through social networking, online stores like Etsy and the complementary blogs that feed into it all – everyone self promoting, supporting each other, great attitudes and beautiful products to buy.
One mum who I plan to interview for this Blog is close to home. My Aunt Kathy owner and designer of My Island Baby.
Originally starting out with an ebay store, and the Sydney markets, her website was recently launched to showcase her current designs of babies and children wear. The designer clothes are created with a pacific island influence. You will find yourself imagining that you are floating in a tropical paradise on a white sandy beach. Pieces are handpicked that reflect good design backed by quality and functionality.
First time ever launched in Brisbane, come and visit us at the Mathilda Markets this Saturday. Entry is free at Brisbane Racecourse at Eagle Farm. My two girls will be modelling My Island Baby’s latest range and I will be there at the stall to learn firsthand what it is like to be a mummy entrepreneur.
I think I will start interviewing Mummy Entrepreneurs as a regular segment on my blog. What do you think?
Now if only I could come up with my new Idea.
The Wisdom of Hindsight
Aug 5th
Ok it might just be a downer of a week but the following kept on coming up in conversations starting with the sentence “If I could do it again I would have”:
- Have a gap year and travel the world as a university exchange student
- I would have kids and get paid to do a PhD combing creativity and flexibly with crèche
- I would have bought that house ten years earlier
- I wouldn’t have hang around so long in old relationships
- I would spend more time on learning to love me and be happy and not worry about what others thought
- I wouldn’t have worked so many part-time jobs
- I would have done more road trips
If I had to live my life again I’d make all the same mistakes–only sooner.
TALLULAH BANKHEAD, quoted in Evelyn Steinberg’s The Little Book of Wrinkles
Some comfort is knowing that every decision I have made was right with the information I had in hand at the time.
So this year I start the momentous 30s and we are making more decisions and making more changes. However the desicions are not just soley about me anymore. They are about me, my partner and our children. They might not be perfect and hindsight can be such a wonderful thing but as I keep reassuring myself, “I am making the best decisions with the information I have on hand today.” Wish me luck.

New Zealand New Years Day 2009
Lessons learnt on the Kokoda Track
Jul 25th
I recently posted on Twitter this statement, “The 2007 Lisa hiked the Kokoda track. The 2010 Lisa struggles pushing a double pram uphill. How ironic.” I have been thinking about this statement and its not quite true. The Kokoda track was hard really really hard but what did I learn that I am unconsciously putting into action today? Did the challenge to complete the Kokoda track somehow get me through the physical challenge of a multiple birth, recovery and now the responsibility to parenting twins? Excerpts from my diary are below:
My Kokoda Track Diary
Friday
I heard today that you are supposed to leave something behind on the track; something spiritual, something inside. Like my reason to go on this journey I’m not quite sure I know what it is. I’m here alone. It is a journey and challenge I must make on my own. I want to do it and I can do it. I want to be proud of me. I am so happy and I can’t wait to do more travel and get married and have a family and earn lots of money. Ha! Ha! Lol
Sunday
Not quite sure what to write – been thinking about it for the past few days. I was told the trek was not a pretty trek but they are wrong. It is beautiful. The villages are clean and so well kept. The families take so much pride. I didn’t like Port Moresby. Saturday was a slow start. We spent hours waiting for out charter flight to go to Kokoda but when it happened it was fantastic. The tour group is so well organised. I have a porter called James. Today was our first full day or trekking. It started off quite hard. My backpack was not sitting very well and heavy and my feet were squished. I gave more of weight to James and took the soles out of my shoes. My body aches. We went thought four villages today. John goes through the war history almost at every stop. The group is good. I am getting along with everyone. The tents are great, comfy but 6:15 am leaving campsite is a bit early! I am not all that organised in the dark to pack everything. Fortunately we get to the campsite relatively early today at 3pm. The view is beautiful. I wish I had Milo. I am feeling good though. The muscles in my legs – I am very impressed. I miss N. Miss him lots. Love L
Monday
I miss N. My knee gave way today. I am really trying to perserve but it hurts so much. I have taken anti-inflammatories and pain killers (endone!) and anti-nausea. This track is hard. I think we are at Eora Creek village tonight. It is raining again. I felt so bad because my porter James had to carry my stuff. He is so helpful through the track. Please god make my knee better. Its only two days in. We did ten hours trekking today. We leave at 6:15am and usually get to campsite by 4pm. I’m tired. I have been thinking lots about my life while on the track. Not sure yet what to let go. I wish I had a watch because I wake up at night and don’t know what time it is. I am having chocolate withdrawals. I should have bought Milo and coffee bags. My tummy has been ok. The group has been great. I think it is because you have to be a certain person to decide to go on a trek like this, motivated etc. Everyone has been genuine concerned but I don’t want any attention on myself. Love L
Tuesday
Not the best day today. My wallet and all my money was stolen in the middle of the night and my leg kills. I am feeling depressed.
<Diary ends. One trecker in our group was flown out due to illness. I was told a year later that they had a helicopter on stand-by ready to take me out as well. I think if I had known that at the time I might have given up. Thankfully I made it.>

Monday
Back at home. I am not sure how I am feeling. My brain feels like scrambled eggs. Combined with the intense experience of the Kokoda track, I didn’t quite expect the mental and emotional challenge that came with it.
It was hard, bloody hard. I had been training for about six months for the cardio but the (ITP) iliotibial band decided to play up causing sever pain in my left knee and hip.
I am not quite sure what I am supposed to be doing now. When you focus on something for so long and then it is over it is hard to adjust back to ‘normal’ life. The monotonous sound of the track alone in your thoughts as you concentrate on every step. The words I had playing included trust – trust my boots, trust my walking stick for balance, and trust my porters hand.
My Lessons Learnt
When everything feels overwhelming and too hard just look down at your feet and trust. Trust your feet to take you there.
The story about Chlamydia
Jul 23rd
“You’re the only person in the world who has a folder on your computer hard drive titled Chlamydia,” my sister once said.
Now to get the story straight almost ten years ago I spent a year studying the molecular evidence of Chlamydia affecting our Koala population. It was my graduate science Honours degree and during the project I carried the scientific motivation and fascination for discovering something new although most of the year involved silently trying to spell Chlamydia correctly and pronouncing the species name C.trachomatis without embarrassment.
Now my results are not ground breaking (although I recently searched for my own publication and it has been cited a few times since – Whoopee fo
r bibliometrics) but I did discover and characterise novel uncultured Chlamydiales in Free-Range Koala Populations.
Although I no longer work in the laboratory, I have never been able to capture the same feeling of accomplishment as I did from that project.
What made this project different? Was it:
- The autonomy and problem solving,
- The opportunities to experiment with an idea,
- Having access to skilled and intelligent mentors,
- Strict deadlines which meant late night and weekends in the laboratory to try new experiments, theories and repeat results. Extra hours which for some reason I did not mind doing.
- The meticulous writing up of laboratory notes. Like a Vision diary creative expression is all in your laboratory books and lastly
- The satisfaction of having your results in print.
I often wonder if I should have continued with the curiosity that drives career scientists into a PhD and research. Instead I chose the commercial world. Today I wonder if I had continued on the research trajectory would I have been driven to discover something innovative and groundbreaking or even becoming an expert in my own niche of science and would it have been a more fulfilling career.
So what parts of that project I enjoyed most can I start to replicate again today?
On a final note, not to dampen my achievement in the paper “Molecular evidence for novel chlamydial infections in the koala (Devereaux etal Syst Appl Microbiol. 2003 Jun;26(2):245-53), can you see the different interpretation my father had as he would proudly report in public that his daughter “is named after new species of Chlamydia and had a publication to boot.”?






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