I’ve been in Peru for the past 2 weeks, leading a retreat for 10 women — my 5th retreat this year.

People often ask me why I do this work. Sure, it’s fun, but we’re also doing deep, meaningful, and truly life-changing work. We take risks and lovingly tell the truth. We are one another’s teachers, students and dear friends. We challenge one another to live in ever-more alignment, and remain openhearted even when it hurts. We support and celebrate and love one another deeply.

I do this work because I truly believe that when women are more free human beings, they’ll make a bigger difference in the world.

We’re not just here to take up space; we’re here to live, love and give. {tweet it}

There are extrinsic expressions of freedom: being able to travel about as you please; doing deeply aligned work you love; having a home environment that nurtures you; creating your art; having access to healthcare, food and education.

There are also intrinsic expressions of freedom: taking care of your beautiful body because you honor her; hearing and trusting your intuition; loving yourself and others deeply and freely; feeling at peace; celebrating life.

No amount of extrinsic freedom will make up for a lack of intrinsic freedom. You can be in shackles on your private jet. When we talk about true freedom, we must explore the outside and the inside.

So, how can we be more intrinsically free?

THE OTHER JOURNEY OF WOMANHOOD:

Our biology dictates that the journey of womanhood includes the onset of menstruation, the child-bearing years, pre-menopause, menopause, and post-menopause. But there’s another journey of womanhood that has little to do with our biology. Here are the stages:

Self-care
In this stage, you learn to care of your physical body, because you appreciate and honor her. You feed yourself nourishing foods and give yourself the gift of sleep. You take care of yourself.

Self-love
In this stage, you trust your intuition and the ebb and flow of life. You think of yourself sweetly, and although you can see where you have room for growth, you trust and appreciate the woman you are. You love yourself.

Self-worth
In this stage, you feel at peace, and you celebrate yourself and all of life. You know that you are not only lovable, but valuable. You recognize your unique gifts and honor them. You celebrate yourself.

THE KEYS TO THE JOURNEY:

All women will require loving support as we move through the other journey of womanhood. It’s a journey that just doesn’t happen alone. The keys to creating this space are…

Sisterhood
When you are part of a group of wise, loving, ambitious women who extend their hearts and hands to support your expansion, it feels like anything is possible. The loneliness you’ve felt melts and the fears you’ve had of failing are soothed. You finally have your crew.

Immersion
Taking time away from your daily life – going on retreats – create an opportunity to go deeper and create permanent shifts in your deep beliefs, outlook and actions. This is a space for you to receive the education you need to make necessary changes, and the time to put those changes into action.

Willingness
There’s no progress without willingness. Sometimes life is scary or confusing, but your eyes looking ahead, your open heart, and your willingness to receive support will get you through. When you are willing to discover what’s ahead on the journey, you discover yourself.

When you hold the keys to greater intrinsic freedom – sisterhood, immersion and willingness – while you set your sights on creating more freedom in your outer world, it’s as if your life is infused with magic. Like any heroine’s journey, it’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it. To create the difference we want to create in the world, it will require our ever-expanding freedom. This is your life. How do you want to live it?

Be sure to tell me in the comments below.