幸福的真諦：了解創意帶領我們走向幸福的秘密 Secrets to happiness led by creativity | 楊士毅 Shih-Yi Yang | TEDxXinyi Salon

Speech Summary: Paper-cutting artist Yang Shiyi came from a poor family and spent ten years of his childhood living as an orphan. However, this difficult upbringing did not rob him of his gentleness towards the world; instead, it forged a resilient, kind, and delicate inner strength, enabling him to retain the ability to appreciate beauty and find precious moments in everyday life. For this speech, Yang Shiyi spent over a month preparing. He not only organized his own life experiences but also constantly considered things from the audience's perspective, hoping to understand the messages they truly needed to receive. This keen sensitivity to others is a key reason why his works and sharing resonate so deeply. In this speech, he proposed: "Sensitivity is like the atoms that make up everything." Seemingly small, it is the foundation supporting a rich life and creativity. When a person possesses sufficient sensitivity, they can develop a deeper empathy and a continuous source of creative inspiration. And one's initial aspirations, like a tiny atom, if continuously protected and accumulated, will eventually become a force illuminating life. In an era of rapid information flow and constantly updated knowledge, people are easily caught in the anxiety of chasing new knowledge. Yang Shih-yi believes that more important than constantly exploring outwards is understanding oneself inwards and re-cultivating the ability to perceive the world. For many years, he has maintained the habit of writing a diary, accumulating over fifty or sixty handwritten notebooks. Through long-term self-dialogue, he has honed his sensitivity to life and maintained his curiosity and creativity. This profound sensitivity has become a vital source of nourishment for his creations. From his Ox Year garden installation paying tribute to those who quietly contribute, comparing companionship and dedication to angels; to his Rat Year Lantern Festival artwork conveying the belief that "original intention is the future," reminding people not to be overly anxious about the unknown, but simply to protect the purity of their hearts; his collaboration with Apple reinterpreting the benevolent connections between people; and his Tainan salt field landscape creation, using the sediment of the salt fields to symbolize life's journey, paying tribute to everyone who perseveres in adversity. Yang Shih-yi firmly believes that beauty is not in the distant future, but exists in every present moment. When we rediscover our innate sensitivity and attentively see the details and warmth in life, everyone can create their own unique landscape. TEDxXinyi (Taipei, Taiwan) TEDxXinyi is an independently organized TEDx community that brings together diverse voices, bold ideas, and meaningful human connections to inspire proactive impact. Through cross-disciplinary conversations, we explore how technology, creativity, culture, and humanity shape the future. Learn more about TEDxXinyi:   / tedxxinyi   Yang Shih-Yi | Paper-cutting Artist Happiness without barriers to life, brought strength and connection through the power of storytelling. Yang Shih-Yi is a paper-cutting artist renowned for his cross-disciplinary creations. His works have won over a hundred awards both domestically and internationally. With delicate knife work and a unique narrative perspective, he extends paper-cutting art from a traditional craft to cities, brands, and public spaces, carving profound dialogues about people, land, and emotions on paper. In 2017, he created a 75-meter-long paper-cut artwork, "Come Sit When You Have Time," for Taiwan's first Apple Store, setting a world record for the longest paper-cut artwork and attracting international media attention. From brand collaborations to large-scale public art, he consistently uses "happiness" as the core of his creations, conveying warmth and hope through his works and making art a gentle force connecting people in the city. His creations are not merely art to be viewed, but a way of sharing life. Through the accumulation of stories, memories, and emotions, Yang Shih-yi invites people to rediscover the beauty in everyday life and find the happiness hidden in every moment of life. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx