Venturing across mountains and seas, chasing winds and waves, we spend our entire lives searching for happiness. But what is happiness? Often, when you think that fame and fortune are the shortcuts to happiness, they often prove to be elusive. If you relentlessly chase after it without pausing to reflect, you may never truly attain happiness. So, what is the right approach to finding happiness?
Listening to Ouyang Jiaqi’s story, one deeply feels that happiness is both complex and simple. She is currently a spiritual mentor, with nearly 10 years of experience in the field, teaching students from the overseas Chinese community worldwide. With her warm and amiable demeanor, she always gives off a friendly and approachable vibe. When her career faced a bottleneck, she embarked on a journey of inner growth, traversing different stages of life, daring to break out of her comfort zone, and pursuing spiritual fulfillment. From an outsider’s perspective, she has achieved dreams that many people have yet to realize, living a vibrant and fulfilling life. She now enjoys financial freedom, so why does she still continue to pursue her dreams?
The opening line of Leo Tolstoy’s classic novel “Anna Karenina” reads, “All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.” Today, we are here to decode Ouyang Jiaqi’s arithmetic of happiness, the “addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division” principles she follows, which may inspire each and every one of us.
01 Exploring the World: The Power of Addition
Ouyang Jiaqi grew up in Shenyang, northeastern China, and lived in Shanghai for many years. At that time, as an outstanding overseas project investor, she engaged in real estate investments and agricultural projects such as durian fruit in various Southeast Asian countries, gradually falling in love with Malaysia. With its large Chinese community, pleasant climate, and suitable cultural and social customs, she found a perfect balance between work and life in Kuala Lumpur, where she discovered the most serene and contented way of living and decided to settle there.
“Read ten thousand books, travel ten thousand miles.” Exploring the world is the process of accumulating experiences and adding to a happy life. After stepping out of her comfort zone and venturing into Southeast Asia, she also visited Vancouver, Canada, and has recently been shifting her focus towards Europe, conducting more spiritual courses, organizing events, and seeking investment opportunities in Paris, France, and Milan, Italy. She passionately explains, “Since I was young, I have had a deep longing for European culture and history. Since becoming a spiritual mentor, I feel that I have a mission to promote excellent Chinese culture to the world. Conversely, I also hope to absorb the essence of Western culture and provide spiritual nourishment for overseas Chinese and local Chinese alike.”
Her recent visit to the 2020 World Expo in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, made her realize the profound influence of European culture on developing countries, further solidifying her belief in integrating the best of both Chinese and Western cultures.
“Previously, I had the impression that the United Arab Emirates was a very conservative country. I knew that it was wealthy and rapidly developing, with highly urbanized regions and modern architecture. However, when I visited the Dubai Expo, I was greatly amazed. The pavilion designs exceeded my imagination, with each innovative masterpiece seamlessly combining nature, humanity, art, and technology, achieving a perfect balance between functionality and aesthetics. All of this fully demonstrated the UAE’s openness to new things and their recognition of the world’s most advanced achievements, completely shattering my outdated perception of conservatism.”
02 Lightening the Daily Burdens: The Power of Subtraction
Life can be overwhelming with its endless stream of responsibilities and pressures. To find happiness, Ouyang Jiaqi believes in the power of subtraction – the ability to let go and lighten one’s mental load. She suggests reflecting on one problem each day or summarizing a key point for improvement, helping to clear away negativity and reduce psychological burdens, ultimately maintaining inner peace.
“I am often faced with various problems and challenges, just like everyone else. However, I have developed a habit of sorting out my thoughts and finding solutions. Whenever I encounter difficulties, I will ask myself, ‘What can I learn from this experience? What can I do better next time?’ By actively seeking answers, I not only resolve the issue at hand but also develop a more positive and proactive mindset. This practice has greatly improved my well-being and overall happiness.”
03 Cultivating the Soul: The Power of Multiplication
While exploring the world and lightening daily burdens are vital, Ouyang Jiaqi emphasizes the cultivation of the soul as the key to true happiness. To multiply one’s inner growth, she encourages attending spiritual growth courses and actively engaging with like-minded individuals.
“Through attending spiritual courses and interacting with students, I have gained profound insights and learned valuable lessons. It is a great pleasure to witness the growth and transformation of my students, as well as their positive changes in both their professional and personal lives. Sharing and learning from others who are on a similar path helps to accelerate our growth and spiritual awakening. This multiplication effect creates a ripple that positively impacts not only ourselves but also those around us.”
04 Letting Go of Attachments: The Power of Division
In a world where differences in opinions often lead to conflict, Ouyang Jiaqi believes in the power of division – the ability to let go of attachments and adopt a more tolerant and understanding mindset. Letting go does not mean surrendering one’s independent thinking but rather embracing a more open and compassionate attitude. By relinquishing attachments, one can attain a more relaxed and inclusive mindset, fostering genuine happiness.
“In today’s diverse society, conflicts are inevitable. However, instead of clinging to our own opinions, it is essential to take a step back and embrace a broader perspective. When we let go of attachments, we create space for understanding and empathy. This not only cultivates harmonious relationships but also allows us to experience true happiness that comes from genuine connections with others.”
Ouyang Jiaqi’s arithmetic of happiness – the principles of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division – provides valuable insights into the pursuit of happiness. By accumulating experiences, lightening mental burdens, fostering inner growth, and embracing tolerance, individuals can create their own path to genuine happiness.
As we bid farewell to Ouyang Jiaqi, her words resonate in our minds: “Happiness is not a destination but a journey. It is a constant evolution of self-discovery, embracing new experiences, and nurturing the soul. So, let us embark on this arithmetic of happiness and create a fulfilling and joyful life, one step at a time.”
Production: @ParoleParis
Photographer: @HomologTeam
Stylist: @HomologTeam
MUA and Hair: @HomologTeam