what's the name of your blog?

So as I listen to a song this morning...I am contemplating on the exact name of my blog: Growing takes time.
I am experiencing a period of frustration in growth right now. It's partly because my patience runs thin with myself in grief. So often we want to move out of what seems bad, hard, sad and move on towards good feelings. I want to "feel" better.
Last week I lost a very dear and close friend to me. I had the privilege and honor of mentoring her. In that unique relationship, I not only shared my knowledge, but constantly learned new things about  myself, life, love, and others. Heather changed my life for the better, for good.
But, I was challenged by my close friend Brooke, to really mourn well. To take the time to cry and wear black and feel sad or angry. And I feel like part of that happened, but I don't want to rush it. The feeling better part that is.  Because there is something to be learned in the moments of grief. Growth can take place in any area of our life, in any situation, in any circumstance, IF WE LET IT.
I spoke to my friend Justin this morning about realigning our feelings with the truth. That thoughts are And again, I wonder, what does it look like to have a pure and real emotional response? One that's aligned with the truth and to remain in it for the time it needs to be remained in? I feel like that happened.
and again, I say it to myself, growing takes time. I know people struggle with grief. I struggle with grief. We weren't taught how to grieve well. Mourn. So, I am taking time and giving myself time to grow in this area.
What say you?

Heather Lynn Parman

This day some super sad news came my way.

and I am broken hearted about it.

So much so that I don't want to go to bed.

I want to stay up and not believe it happened.

I keep checking fb to see if it's all a lie.

I know it's not.

I know it's for real.

I talked to Jill.

My H. My mentee. Pamento. HP. the joy of one woman.

she lit up a room. there's no way around it. She is home. 

This is how I would like to have my hair look as it grows out. I think it's adorable and although my face isn't as long as hers, as it continues to get skinnier i twill do well with my face shape. If I do say so in my professional opinion. Speaking of my professional opinion, I love that part of my job. The moment when I get to share with someone what I know. And not because I am all knowing or it kicks my ego into high gear, but simply because I have knowledge to share that can possibly help you.
There is a lesson to be learned here that I would like to point out today. Remember that you are always in a learning opportunity. Honestly I try with all of my might to view every opportunity as a learning one, but sometimes my own pride can get in the way. Get rid of pride when learning. It does nothing but hinder you.
 lesson: BE A SPONGE NOT A ROCK
*side story: The summer of 1997 I worked at a sports camp in Western PA, which ironically is where I am living currently. One day during a pep talk I heard this story and I have never forgotten it.

Visual aid: a bucket of water, a sponge and a rock
The bucket is opportunity. It can be empty or full of water. Water symbolizes wisdom.
Drop in the rock, it may make a big splash, but once you take it out, it's still only a rock. Nothing has transformed the rock. The wisdom, drips right off. Drop in the sponge and watch what happens. It changes shape. It soaks up the water. When you take the sponge out, it can be rung out and shared with others everywhere.
simple story all to say...be a sponge people.
To be a sponge, one has to remove pride, and remain humble. My mentor defines humility as a right view of oneself. And that is the topic for tomorrow...
enjoy "spongehood"
 

Hello

This blog will be dedicated to me growing my hair out as well as the combination of what I'm learning...ie:growth.
I like it and I hope you will too!
Here's where it all began...
I decided to grow my hair long again. It's been almost 2 years since I cut it short and I'm ready to try and grow it out again.
Here is a picture of today.

the bottom is shoulder length and the top is about 3-4 inches long with my bangs at the bottom of my lip.

Today we are focusing on growth in the facet of where you came from, where you are going.
Here's a list of questions I'm going to use when looking at last year. I include God in my journey but the questions are able to be answered even if you find yourself not in a place of believing in God.

What were five places (experiences, relationships, moments in time) when you felt most alive with God this year?

What were five places (experiences, relationships, moments in time) when you felt most distant from God this year?

What did you read (books, blogs, devotionals, quotes) that helped you sense God’s presence in new ways, helped reframe a situation or leader you to better questions?

What pieces of scripture or literature were influential to your growth this year?

What people were influential in your growth this year?

What new questions are you asking yourself?  What questions are still lingering?

What experiences have you been able to “name” or “reframe” that have helped you being working through a valley in your life?

What experiences have you been able to share with a listening partner that have allowed you to take the next step of growth or healing?

What are some new things that you would like to try in the new year?

Based on what you learned this year, what new relationships would you like to seek out, what boundaries around current relationships need to be established or what relationships need to be let go?

What are some things you would like to leave behind from this last year?

How are you learning to live in the present moment in new ways?

How are you keeping a learning posture by reviewing your day, week, year?

What would you like to pull forward into the new year?

What other questions will help you “review your year?”

Please, as always, feel free to post your thoughts or what you have learned.