I firmly believe that each of us was created for a purpose. What that purpose is, only God knows.

I’ve struggled with discovering my own purpose for years. Well, maybe the word “struggled” isn’t exactly correct. Perhaps searched is a better term. It is such a difficult thing to determine and frankly, I’m not sure if one is ever truly enlightened as to the impact they make on the world. At least, not while they are IN this world, anyway.

One of my goals for last year was to adopt a “mantra.” And by mantra I simply meant, a clear, guiding principal for life.

I didn’t find the perfect phrase until late November. I stumbled across it quite by accident while in line at the grocery store. It struck me as so profound and so simple that I had to immediately write it down lest I forget it. (Because I forget pretty much everything if I don’t record it.)

“I shall pass through this world but once. Any good, therefore, that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer nor neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.”~~Stephen Grellet

Quite simple and to the point.

Be good to everyone, all the time. Pretty powerful, wouldn’t you say?

In what row are you living your life?

I saw this photo on Facebook today and just felt compelled to share. The caption: “How Do you live  your life? Are you in the first row or the third?”

Indulge me for a moment and take a long look at the photo to your left.

Clearly no one is partying in the third row.

Which begs to ask… In the grand scheme of life, where would you say you sit? Or better yet, where would you like to sit?

In my opinion, front row riders are:

• Passionate
• Fun loving
• Free spirited
• Fearless

As for me, I’d classify myself as a second row rider. I enjoy the ride but really get a kick out of watching the folks in the front casting their cares aside and living their lives with passion (and a wicked sense of humor). As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, I have a tendency to stifle my own spirit of the name of being  inappropriate or living up to other’s expectations.

I’m really tired of doing that.

Do you ever find your own self hesitating? Ever wished you would have grabbed an opportunity instead of staying in the safe zone? Ever yearned to throw caution to the wind, let loose and let yourself have fun?

I don’t know about you but I’m thinking it is time to move up to the front row.

Marathon weekend came and went and I’m happy to report that… we conquered!

The Baltimore Marathon was the fourth marathon I have participated in. It is my opinion that each marathon is its own unique experience and will be forever remembered as such. Besides being my pal Lori’s first marathon, the Baltimore Marathon will forever remain ingrained in my mind for its H I L L S. (11 miles of them, to be exact. Or so Lori figured out.)

Obviously, I’m still a little sore. (Not to mention walking down stairs backwards.)

Here’s the rundown:

Although we live close enough to drive, our little group decided it be best to rent a room near to the event to ensure maximum sleepage. (Sleepage is a word, right?) Of course, sleeping was second priority next to food. (Hey, what good is all that running if a girl can’t get a decent meal?) We had the most scrumptious marathon eve meal of burgers and wine at Pratt Street Ale House. Best. Burger. Ever.

Race day was fantastic. The weather was perfectly cool and crisp. Ideal running weather, to be sure.

We had agreed ahead of time that this marathon would be one that we (especially Lori) would enjoy. No time goals. No pressure. We stopped to take pictures along the way, we enjoyed the scenery (well, SOME of the scenery, Baltimore has some less than lovely places that the marathon happens to run through and those place require police protection) and really soaked up the experience.

My nemesis the IT band made a throbbing appearance around mile 16 but luckily there was a medical tent nearby so I got some assistance. Crisis averted. Because 10 miles of throbbing pain would have been less-than-pleasant. Can I say that again? Less. Than. Pleasant.

Do we look happy? Of course we do! By the way, Lori and I earned a second medal called the Maryland Double for completing the combination of Frederick Half-Marathon and Baltimore Full Marathon. It is large and heavy and difficult to wear. I heart it.

A huge shout out to the staff and volunteers of the Baltimore Running Festival who provided the best race support that I have ever experienced on a course. Always enough water. Always enough Gatorade. Plenty of Power Gels, food, bathrooms and medical attention available. It was a well-oiled machine in terms of attention to detail.

As I feared, Lori was instantly addicted and looking towards her second marathon. (Darn Katie totally rubbed off on her.) And as for Katie, she runs the New York Marathon and the JFK 50 in November. She is nuts. (But I love her.)

And now to figure out my next big goal. Hmm… any suggestions?

Jennifer Owens is editorial director of Working Mother magazine and director of the Working Mother Research Institute. Prior to joining Working Mother, Jennifer did stints as a reporter and editor, writing about everything from politics and business to fashion and crochet. These days, when she’s not working on the magazine or its research projects, Jennifer speaks on work-life and women’s advancement issues. She has been featured on ABC News, Fox Business News and in newspapers and magazines nationwide. She and her husband, Brett, have two kids: Gwendolyn, 8, and Owen, 4.

Over the years, how have you learned to balance career and motherhood?

I’m still trying to figure it out. I actually don’t like the word balance because nothing is ever in balance. I prefer the phrase “work-life satisfaction.” I believe in the power of words and I think that phrase allows for times when your family life overwhelms work and visa versa. From a more practical standpoint, the key for me is flexibility. I often end up working after the kids go to bed, but I also make nearly every school event. And if I can’t, my husband does. We tag-team everything, and that’s another key to making it all work.

Is there one particular parenting lesson you’ve learned about raising kids?

Honestly, my biggest personal lesson is to try to keep my own crazies to myself. Take heights. I’ve come to hate them, but while I was on a business trip, my husband took the kids for a ride on a Ferris wheel at Coney Island. I was just about say, “Oh, no! Where you scared?!” when I realized that my often-nervous daughter was starting to tell me about how brave she was — and what a good time she’d had. I reminded myself that there’s no need to put my fears into her head. (My son, on the other hand, is a daredevil and wouldn’t care if I was scared or not!)

Battling stress? Any advice?

I just read Eight Weeks to Optimum Health by Dr. Andrew Weil. I’ve still got a long way to go, but I am trying to eat better — and I do his breathing exercises when I’m starting to get overwhelmed. You can also catch me doing stretches when I’m at the copier, waiting for printouts.

Tools or products you can’t live without?

Shared Google Calendars. If it’s not on one of our multiple family calendars, then it’s not going to get done. We also use these calendars to plan ahead for changing childcare needs when either my husband or I need to work late, or the kids have an early day off from school.

Do you have an inspirational quote, motto or philosophy you can share with us?

I have this hanging in my office:

“Be brave enough to live creatively. The creative is the place where no one else has ever been. You have to leave the city of your comfort and go into the wilderness of your intuition. You cannot get there by bus, only by hard work, risking and by not quite knowing what you are doing. What you will discover will be wonderful: Yourself.” — Alan Alda

Favorite resources, books, or website?

My favorite take-a-break website is gofugyourself.com. I love the ridiculous outfits features on it — and the writing is really funny.

Anything else exciting going on at Working Mother Magazine?

Working Mother just launched a campaign to demand universal paid parental leave in the United States. We’re the only developed country that does not mandate paid parental leave – something that 178 countries already do. We’ve teamed up with the National Partnership for Women & Families to launch a petition drive. You can learn more about the campaign — and why it’s needed here.

Connect with her:

Twitter:  @working_mother
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/working.mother
Website: workingmother.com
Other: linkedin.com/in/jennowens

Truer words were never spoken.