February 4, 2011: The universe speaks to me constantly.

If I don’t pay attention, or listen well enough, it tends to shout. Deafeningly. Just lke I felt my Mom (pictured at left in 2009), sometimes did when I was a kid.

Still, I often don’t hear. Just like I didn't as a chlld.

Here are 25 powerful and inspirational thoughts with images to get you started on the road to motivation.

Nellie Bly (May 5, 1864 – January 27, 1922) was the pen name of pioneer female journalist Elizabeth Jane Cochran.

She remains notable for two feats: a record-breaking trip around the world in emulation of Jules Verne's character Phileas Fogg, and an exposé in which she faked insanity to study a mental institution from within.

In addition to her writing, she was also an industrialist and charity worker.

Susan notes: I love how these Daily Om messages often speak to me directly... so many life lessons to learn, so little time to learn them!

Disappointment provides us a bridge from expectations to acceptance of reality, wisdom, and the energy to begin again.

Whenever we do something in life with an expectation of how we would like it to turn out, we risk experiencing disappointment.