What kind of waitress am I?

Years ago I heard a story that has always stuck with me. It goes something like this:

There were two aspiring writers who were working as waitresses at the same restaurant. One of the women was always complaining about her job and talking about how what she really wanted to do was to be writing. She went home tired every night with no energy to write and could see no end to her miserable cycle in sight.  

The other woman talked to all of her customers and often jotted down notes about conversations she had and ideas that the experiences of her customers inspired. Every night she went home excited and with new ideas and materials for her writing.

In my life right now, I'm asking myself which waitress I am more like. I know I want to be more like the waitress who goes home excited and inspired. 

Tonight, I was showing some friends some of the projects I've been woking on (a scarf for my brother, and cards to sell on Etsy) and one friend said, "how do you find the time!?" and another said, "I know how, she doesn't waste any time, she sits in the back of class and knits."

While I do waste plenty of time, I think this exchange is a good indicator that I'm at least trending towards the happy waitress approach to life – I'm working hard to make some of my dreams come true. I'm striving to find things to be positive about and motivated by. And, overall, I think it's working!

Seeking for Zion

On the train yesterday, I looked up to see a large tattoo on the arm of the man across from me that caught my eye. 

There are lots of large tattoos out there, but I hadn't seen one quite like this – in scrolled lettering, his forearm proudly proclaimed "Seeking for Zion"

I had to smile, and I wanted to take a picture, or talk to him, and am kicking myself that I did neither. But it did get me thinking, and reading a bit thanks to his willingness to publicly declare his intentions.

What does that mean to me, seeking Zion? And am I really doing it?

The Pearl of Great Price teaches us that "the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them" (see Moses 7:18)

And in the Doctrine and Covenants 97:21 the Lord teaches that Zion is the pure in heart.

Seems like if I want to seek Zion, then I need to work on my heart. And it sure is far from pure right now.  But I can work on that!

Also seems I could do a better job at being bold and upfront about my desire to better serve God and my fellowmen. Maybe not with a tattoo, but certainly in the way I treat those around me at all times.