"I have a Master’s degree from London in International Banking and Finance, which landed me a cushy job in Sales and Marketing. It was in one of the reputed Corporates. My job, was to compel people to worry about their future. I had to do it, in order to sell my financial products. Insurance was the worst. I had to get people to imagine scenarios where they’d meet with an accident, or where they’d have to deal with the death of a loved one. I did this for a while, I even succeeded. But somewhere deep down, I felt a sense of discomfort. I felt like I was robbing people of their peace. So one day, I made up my mind, and said enough is enough. I quit without a plan. I took some time off to think about what I should do. I found myself observing the people around me, and their chaotic lives. The traffic, and the stress. This was nowhere close to the Bangalore I knew. Not the pensioner’s paradise I grew up in. I wanted to change that. I was always interested in arts and crafts growing up. I continue to be passionate about it. It’s been a hobby of mine for the past ten years to make cards with sweet little messages, and distribute it among friends and family. I liked the way it made people feel. I decided to go ahead and do it full time. I now sell cards with motivational messages on the streets of Bangalore. I pick a different locality each day, and talk to as many people as I can. You’d be surprised how much a kind face and a few well-meaning words can help complete strangers open up themselves to you. I love listening to people, and their stories. I even pray with them at times. Sometimes it’s the small day-to-day issues that bother people, and other times it’s something as major as depression. Although this city is bustling with people, if you look closely, you can spot loneliness on many of the faces. There was a girl who confessed to me that she was terribly lonely here, and that she wasn’t able to cope with it. She spoke to me and prayed with me for a few days until she felt better. They find it easier to talk to me, you know? I don’t know their history or background. I treat them without judgement, as just a fellow human. I try to restore faith in people that the universe will eventually balance itself out. There will be good times to cancel out the bad times. It makes me happy to think that I once used to sell fear, and now I sell hope! "