Gain Strength from Disappointment

Julie Murphy • June 28, 2019

In 2006, I bought a house that I thought would not only help my dad heal but extend his life after having two major strokes. In my mind, this house would be the BEST. THING. EVER! My dad would be happy, I’d be happy, it would give my family so much relief, and I would be a family SHERO. But guess what? It didn’t work out that way. My family was indifferent to my major purchase, Dad didn’t want to go stay there like I thought he would have, and I was stuck doing all the work and footing the bill. Talk about disappointment. What I imagined the outcome to be was far from the reality that transpired. That kind of let down was tough to face.

When things don’t go the way we expect them too, the sadness can lead to a momentary pity party, or hiding in bed with the covers pulled over our head for days! How we react all depends on the kind of emotional investment we have made in our goals and desires.

No matter the size of the disappointment, we have to make a decision: stay stuck in misery, or choose to acknowledge the hurt, grow from the experience and move on. It may not feel like it, but your response is within your control.

When we want something, we build it up in our minds. We fantasize and dream about the rewards that come with our desires: how good we’ll look in that new car, the benefits that will come with a big promotion, or how deeply we’ll feel loved once we get married. New and exciting life milestones seem like they should be filled with unbridled happiness, but many times they turn out to be far less than the perfect scenarios we envisioned.

If things don’t go as planned, it doesn’t mean you should abandon your hopes of being successful and getting what you want. Learning how to deal with disappointment along the way is just as important as celebrating your accomplishments.

The things that are most worthwhile in life – whether that is love, a dream career, or being a parent – rarely come easily. There will always be struggles, no matter how good you may have it. But those who are most successful know how to keep those struggles — the everyday annoyances and more significant disappointments — in their place and in perspective.

The choice of whether those stressors will tear you down is entirely up to you. Will it be hard to make the choice to thrive some days? Absolutely. But remember that continuing to take steps towards an authentic life – especially during the hard days – will create some of the most fulfilling moments you will ever experience.

Let’s go back to my purchase of that house. After years of frustration and disappointment, I decided to make a change. I realized that my expectations, and attachment to the emotional outcome I desired was doing me more harm than good. I finally decided to sell the house and let myself and my family off the emotional hook I created. It was a great decision. My investment was repaid and releasing that property, along with my expectations, opened me to a new and less stressful connection to my family.

Next time you face a disappointment, use these tips to build resiliency:

1. Try to see the situation from the perspective of an outside observer. As much as possible, detach from the situation and see if this brings more clarity and balance to your reaction.

2. Avoid negative self-talk about what happened. Thoughts like, ‘this always happens to me,” or “I was foolish to think I could make that work”, create a cycle of blame and shame that only serves to hold you back from your desires.

3. Think of personal challenges as opportunities for change and growth. Every experience is ripe for learning. By deciding that mishaps can have a real purpose, you are building resiliency.

4. Choose your next steps. Life will go on so you can adapt to the situation or chart a different course. Staying stuck in a swirl of disappointment will only weigh you down.

Clear the emotional clutter and create a space of acceptance and tranquility to allow yourself to connect fully with your inner desires. Doing this is the most rapid way to let your authentic self come to the surface.

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How to End the Year Like the Wealthy Do

By Julie Murphy • December 10, 2025

Reset Your Money Energy for 2026 Every December, we all feel that pull, the desire to “be better with money next year.” But here’s the secret I’ve seen again and again after nearly three decades of walking alongside people from all walks of life: Financially wealthy people don’t just plan their next year — they energetically complete the one they’re leaving. They close loops. They clear emotional residue. They realign their energy field before they set a single goal. And you can absolutely do the same. As I share in The Emotion Behind Money , wealth is never created by logic alone. It comes from managing the emotions behind your money and understanding that money itself is energy. And in Awaken Your Wealth , I remind readers that energetic shifts begin when you consciously picture yourself stepping into a new reality, while compassionately acknowledging the one you’re standing in now. So let’s walk through the simple year-end process I teach my clients — one that spiritually, emotionally, and financially resets your money field for a powerful 2026. 1. Review Your 2025 Wins & Losses With Compassion Before you step into the new year, look back with the most loving, nonjudgmental eyes possible. I call it neutral observation . Wealthy people don’t spiral into shame when something didn’t go perfectly. They get curious. Ask yourself: Where did I expand financially this year? Where did I contract emotionally or economically? What choices were truly aligned with my values? Which ones came from fear, scarcity, or old patterns? In Awaken Your Wealth , the “Accepting Reality and Awakening” step of PACT teaches that awareness without judgment is how we break old money patterns for good. So breathe. Notice. Write it down. No shame. No spiral. Just truth. 2. Forgive Any Money Mistakes Here’s a truth most people never consider: Every financial mistake carries emotional weight and emotional weight blocks money flow. From my work in The 4 Spiritual Laws of Money , we know that your heart’s energy is more powerful than your brain’s logic, and intention is what redirects energy back into alignment. Forgiveness, of yourself, your past self, or others involved, releases stagnant money energy. Try this: Write down any money decisions from 2025 that still feel heavy. Place your hand on your heart. Say: "I forgive the version of me who made this choice. She/he did the best they could with what they knew at the time.” Forgiveness isn’t about letting mistakes slide. It’s about resetting your emotional money field so you can co-create something new. 3. Create an Energetic Closing Ceremony for the Year This is where wealthy people truly separate themselves; they honor the transition. You can create your own year-end ceremony using whatever resonates from your spiritual toolkit. Here are a few ideas inspired by the intention-setting and clearing practices throughout my work: Light a candle Symbolize releasing the old year and calling in the new. Write a “completion list” Include everything you’re ready to release: debts you’re no longer carrying shame over, relationships you’re energetically cutting cords from, patterns you’re finished reenacting. Burn or bury the list This physical act tells the Universe: “I’m done living from this version of myself.” In The Emotion Behind Money , we explore how inherited beliefs and emotional patterns repeat until they are consciously released. This ceremony is your line in the sand. End with intention Close with one powerful intention for 2026, aligned from your heart: “I choose a new flow of abundance.” “I trust that money comes to me with ease.” “I allow myself to receive the wealth I’ve been working toward.” As The 4 Spiritual Laws of Money reminds us: “The Universe responds to action.” Your ceremony is your spiritual action. Ready to Step Into 2026 Aligned, Clear & Empowered? If you’re craving deeper support with your financial reset, join me for my Emotions Behind Money Workshop in January. If you’ve been feeling the nudge to recalibrate your relationship with money, this is your moment. Let’s make 2026 the year your inner wealth and your financial reality finally match. You deserve abundance and you’re closer than you think. With love, alignment & a whole lot of possibility, Julie ✨