Lessons from a Llama
A llama in Lewisville, North Carolina appears to bask in the light of a brilliant sunset.
Stunning Discovery
I might never have shown you this photo had it not been for a conference I recently attended called “Shame Off You.” The conference, held at Reynolda Church in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, addressed the symptoms of and the path toward freedom from the effects of shame.
Led by Senior Pastor Alan D. Wright, the conference was based on Pastor Wright’s book, Shame Off You. One of the “quizzes” we conference attendees took contained 24 statements that we were to mark as either “true” or “false.”
Once everyone had completed the questionnaire, Pastor Wright informed us that all of the statements were “false.” I was stunned because I had marked 20 of the 24 statements as “true.” Simply stated, those 20 statements represented false assumptions that I’ve built my life upon. One of those assumptions is:
“Perfect is always better than good.”
I’m slowly realizing that if I continue to measure my work, my goals, my relationships, and even myself against a self-constructed model of perfection, I’ll miss out on the “good” opportunities that will come my way. While I accept this concept in theory, in reality, it’s not easy to implement.
This “perfection” issue surfaced again this week when I considered whether to share the above photo with you.
Photo Background
I first spotted this llama in mid-February, along Yadkinville Road (aka Old Highway 421). The sun was about to set, and the scene had a beautiful glow to it. Although I made a number of shots during those fleeting last moments of the day, I failed to capture what I was hoping to get.
For several months now, I’ve tried, off and on, to obtain the llama shot that I envision in my mind’s eye — yet I’ve come up empty-handed.
The Decision
Yesterday, I realized I had to make a decision. I could either continue withholding all of my llama shots until I hopefully someday get the “perfect” shot, or I could go ahead and share the “good” shots that I’ve made of the llamas.
Even though it will be obvious that some of the shots were taken during the winter, I plan to show many of the llama shots to you in the next post.
A Question of Perfection
If you thought otherwise, please be assured that I’m neither a perfect person nor a perfect photographer. I’m still learning on both fronts!
If you can perhaps relate to the tyranny of perfectionism, please share your thoughts in the Comments section below. I’d love to hear your perspective — oh, and don’t worry about being “perfect”!
Be sure to check out the fun follow-up article to this post titled Llamas in Lewisville.
I love the llama and I’m glad you decided to share it. He looks pretty perfect to me. Check out that pose — a pretty perfect looking posture. Looking forward to seeing the other llama shots.
Thanks for the affirming words, Sue!
Deb,
I strive for that perfectionism, too. God amazes me when the “good” is rewarded above what I think is perfect. But isn’t that like God? In our imperfect, messed up lives, He shows up and things change. The focus is no longer on us, but on Him—full of His perfect, loving ways. For me, light becomes the overpowering theme of the llama shot, and all else are silhouettes.
Jone, so often I forget that I’m not the only one afflicted with perfectionism. There may be more of us out there than I imagine! Thanks for sharing your insights.
This past weekend my son and family and my daughter were visiting me for my birthday. We all love the out-of-doors, so we planned some outside activities for Saturday. My first choice of activities was to find the llamas.
After some driving, turning around and finally asking a lady that was working in her yard where was the llama farm, we found it. We counted six llamas, but they were all grazing far from the fence. After much calling and coaxing, some of them ventured to the middle of the field, but never came close up.
Realizing that it probably would take more patience than my 3 young grandchildren had, we finally left with some pictures and a great feeling of appreciation for these beautiful animals. I definitely plan to go back to visit these animals soon.
Later that evening, my 10-year-old grandson and I were doing a crossword puzzle, and one clue was “fine Peruvian wool” and he immediately said, “Llama.” So the day was not only a day of introducing my grandchildren to the llama, but it turned out to be a teaching day.
Sue, I’m thrilled that you all set out on the quest to find the llamas! At least you were prepared that it might take a while for them to come close to you. Even though they remained in the distance, I’m glad you all enjoyed the visit.
That’s pretty neat, too, that “llama” was one of the answers for your crossword puzzle that evening! What serendipity!
Deb,
I’m nourished by your growing revelation of the goodness of “good” and by the art of the llama in the light. Thanks! As you slay the tyrant of perfectionism you not only free yourself but you bless us all.
Alan, it amazes me how deep the fight can go. Thank you for sharing your story, which gives help and hope to many of us. And thanks for stopping by — I’m honored.