Honey Narayan, an Airhostess:  What makes you happy? 

This question never made sense to me. Why would something need to happen for me to feel happy? Why couldn't I be happy without having something to change or someone to do something for me?

Since I was a little girl, I would be smiling to myself - people found that odd. I guess I was just a curious kid, with the world as a village fair with amazing sights, smells, sounds and I was just happy to have been given the opportunity to explore.

Once I completed my graduation, I found employment in an airline to be a cabin crew. I loved wearing the uniform, loved talking to people and watching them as they flew in and flew out - sometimes smiling, sometimes sad but always interesting. And I would love the way, with just one word of kindness, or one smile, their faces changed. I had the power to change frowns to smiles. In fact, everyone does - they just don't know yet.

An opportunity to be cabin crew helped me, literally, to fly. Since 2013, I grew wings and traveled from place to place - touching the lives of thousands of people - exploring the power of the human smile.

Being born and brought up in North India, I volunteered for flying out of Chennai. It was one of the best decisions I have taken in my life. I learned to understand small cultural nuances, how a North Indian nod differed from a South Indian one. And how people were just people. And they responded to kindness with even more kindness.  I recognized familiar faces on familiar routes, their likes, and smiles - and learned about human psychology and how social we are.

The party scene never appealed to me. I would rather spend time in flower markets and playing with street children, learning how to speak the language from them, then spend my money in nightclubs. I guess that made me different. I made some beautiful friends amongst the Captains, crew, and other service providers in the airline - and always got respect because I treated others with respect.

A sudden opportunity to model for apparel piqued my interest and since it also boosted my meagre salary, I spent some time modeling. And through modeling, I was approached to participate in a beauty pageant. And I am glad I experienced how difficult life in the lights is. I met my best friend at a pageant - and she and I hit it off right at the beginning. She was everything I was not - gorgeously beautiful, confident about herself, and fun to be with. I guess she chose me as a best friend because I calmed her down and made her smile at herself.

I changed cities from Chennai to Hyderabad. I always loved pets - Indic dogs and cats were my favorite and I have adopted a cat and he is my soul-buddy.  I adore my Nani and love it when she comes and spends time with me away from the bustle of the native village. My younger sister is a professional working out of Bengaluru makes up my world - we travel to each other and spend time laughing at her cooking and my singing.

Cooking is a passion - and I pick up tips from Chefs in 5-star hotels during layovers as crew as also from roadside eateries and home cooks. When I am not flying, I am working on my dreams - someday I will be an Entrepreneur and with Make in India starting to shine - I know that my time is just around the corner.

Till then, I smile and continue to change the moods and emotions of passengers with a kind word, a joke, and a compliment.

Because happiness - is within!