By Roxanne Joffe
I completed the Hoffman Process in October 2018. If you are reading this, I am sure you agree that the benefits of the Process linger. Through this unprecedented global pandemic, I find myself playing hide-and-seek with my spirit: At times pausing and counting to 10 with my eyes closed, feeling hopeless when she is so well hidden that I can’t find her, or elated when I catch a glimpse of her hiding behind a tree.
Over the past week it appears my spirit was well hidden and I forgot to look for her as I tried to understand my swirling emotions.
Hope In Crisis
I have been through traumatic, life-changing events that were beyond my control. From living in an environment ravaged by political atrocities, segregation and elitism, to my own brush with death.
I realized that tackling issues with a combination of available actions and resources, combined with my ability to choose how I respond emotionally, reassured me that I’m not a victim of my circumstances. I believed that I was capable of using my intuition along with my belief in the intrinsic good of humanity to inspire others and, in so doing, motivate myself. My optimism and my unrelenting belief that the universe has a plan gave me comfort with the ability to “go with the flow as I know that everything happens for a reason.”
Choosing What to Do
I was diagnosed with breast cancer and chose to have surgery and treatment; I also chose to use my experience to help others.
I had a life-threatening infection as a result of my treatment and chose to remain positive and have daily antibiotic infusions.
I was in a plane crash and chose to immediately recognize my fear of flying and, consequently, conquer my fear.
However, this COVID-19 crisis has been different for me. I have been overwhelmed by a sense of helplessness that manifested in frustration and panic. It appears that we are citizens waiting – waiting for information, waiting to be told what to do, waiting to see if we have been exposed, waiting to be tested, waiting for the worst and hoping for the best.
Peace and Acceptance
Then something magical touched my core. I was in the grocery store yesterday among frenzied, emotional and masked shoppers who were intent on filling their shopping carts while forgoing social distancing. I realized that this self-interest was a survival mechanism and stemmed from a place of inescapable fear.
That’s when I realized that I actually do have choices:
– I can choose love and light over grey clouds.
– I can choose to embrace vulnerability rather than fear and anger.
– I can choose compassion rather than judging other’s self-interest.
– I can choose the right road rather than the left.
For now, I am left with a sense of peace and acceptance, the Hoffman way.
Thank you for allowing me to share my thoughts.
Wishing my Hoffman family peace, strength, love, and light… with a few smiles along the way.
Hoffman grad Roxanne Joffe is a dynamic entrepreneur, business leader, and president and founder of MagnifyGood. With more than 20 years of entrepreneurial experience in fashion design, brand marketing and communications, Roxanne knows the importance of work-life balance. Roxanne’s life experiences have taught her that living a truly meaningful life is to own your power.