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The Work I’d Do for Free: When Passion Becomes Purpose

Author_Heidi_Siefkas_Barcelona_Spain

Author_Heidi_Siefkas_Barcelona_Spain

Not many people dream of working for free. But if money disappeared from the equation tomorrow, I know exactly what I’d still wake up excited to do: tell stories. Specifically, the kind of stories that connect us as humans—stories rooted in place, experience, and resilience.

Why Stories Matter

Good_hiking_shoes_for_the_Camino_de_Santiago

Stories are how we make sense of the world. They bridge differences, cross borders, and spark empathy. Whether I’m writing about a moment on the Camino de Santiago or a conversation with someone who’s survived immense loss, I’m driven to find the through-line that reminds us: we’re not all that different.

I don’t tell stories for the big bucks or awards. I do it because I can’t not. Crafting stories whether written, spoken, or multi-media is how I connect, process, and give something back.

Travel Writing as a Window to Connection

Park_Guell_Barcelona_Spain

Over the years, my travel writing has taken readers everywhere—from the streets of Barcelona to the peaks of Banff. But beyond the landscapes and local cuisine, what I truly aim to spotlight is the universal heartbeat of humanity.

Whether in Cuba, Kauai, or the Columbia River Gorge, the people I meet and the lessons I learn reinforce one powerful truth: kindness, resilience, and joy live everywhere.

The Look Up Lens

That belief is what shaped Look Up—Global Stories of Resilience. Gathering personal stories from around the globe, this book was more than a project—it was a purpose. Each contributor’s journey reminded me why storytelling is worth showing up for, paycheck or not.

Look Up is proof that words can heal, uplift, and spark change.

Passion Over Paycheck

 

Of course, I value being paid for my work (who doesn’t?). But even when there’s no invoice, no byline, no contract—I’ll still be writing. Crafting narratives that inspire, inform, and unify is what I’m here to do.

Because when passion becomes purpose, it no longer feels like work. It feels like a calling.

Here’s to looking up always and finding your purpose!

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