Hello Cindy Qu, can you tell us a bit about yourself?

Thank you for having me here. My name is Cindy Qu, aka Lovenemy. I’m a philosopher, writer and artist who flies frequently between the U.S. and Asia. New York City is where I spend most of my time when in the U.S.

What are your focus areas?

I’m currently working on two books – titled “Lovenemy” and “The Self-Made Networker” –  a memoir and a networking guide respectively. I also create inspirational quotes to motivate people, especially those facing hardships. As a self-taught artist, I enjoy shooting portraits and landscapes with a camera phone and a tripod.

What do you like about New York?

New York is an incredible city that appeals to all kinds of people. To me, its fascination lies in its dual nature. On the one hand, you go out, you see ambitious people from all over the world trying hard to make it in the big apple. On the other, you come home, you feel alone and helpless, adjusting to the hustle and bustle of the metropolis. Then you start to spend time by yourself, trying to find a balance between the warrior and the hermit. This pattern of city living inspires a lot of creativity that comes from reflection and contemplation about yourself, others and life in general. Trust me, you will not find the same intellectual stimulus anywhere else in the world.

What specific experiences have you had in New York that have left the greatest impact on you?

I would say a lot. But there was a particular event that deeply touched my heart and strongly shaped my vision of happiness. It happened at a Brooklyn homeless shelter around Christmas Day a couple years ago, and was organized by a homeless children organization, called Dare2B. I joined them at their Christmas party, taking on the role of Santa, which had been left absent, and helping deliver gifts to the children and their families. If you had seen the big smiles on the faces of all at the shelter that day, I’m sure your heart would have melted too. It is such a powerful thing to realize that in a big city like NYC there are always people who are making an effort to pass on happiness to those less fortunate. This kind of “passing on” is what happiness is really about. I’ve never forgotten about this.

Have such experiences inspired you to create?

Of course, no doubt about it! On top of exploring others, deep down, you have to know yourself very well. You go out, mingle with people from all walks of life, you watch them laugh or cry, ecstatic or glum, and in the end, when you are only with yourself, it is what YOU can get out of all of these experiences. As a philosopher, writer and artist, my observations of the “out” prompt me to examine what’s “in”- my soul, my mind and my personality, so as to create something challenging and meaningful in all three genres.

Besides New York, what’s the most unforgettable place you have visited? 

I’m glad you asked. I cannot help but reminisce on my trip to Saipan last year. That trip could hardly be called a vacation as I went there to take an important test. But guess what, oh my, I am so in love with Saipan! The landscape was, of course, unarguably breathtaking, but the best part was the locals – hanging out with them made my stress just fly away. By seeing how they enjoyed a simple life, surrounded by mother nature, I felt that to be alive is simply the luckiest thing. I definitely will visit again.

What type of a traveler do you see yourself as?

Well, I am not a wanderlust type. I enjoy spending time digging into a particular place. Such visits do not need to be frequent and far-reaching as long as I can generate meaningful takeaways from the trip. I respect all travelers who are dedicated to expanding their horizons, wanderlust or not. My advice to all avid travelers: skip popular tourist spots and tap into some forgotten areas that only you would find preciousness. In short, be the first to find the “treasures in the sand.”

What challenges have you faced?

First, different people have different definitions of success. For me, success is the ability to impact people and change society in a positive way.

I find it most challenging when I try to take a stand and voice a concern, for it takes courage, strength, self awareness and responsibility to make the first move when others will not. I’m glad that, so far, I’ve dealt with such challenges pretty well. And thanks to another role of mine, social advocate, I’m pretty optimistic about pursuing success not only for myself, but for many many others.

Where do you see yourself ten years from now?

To be honest, it is hard to say. But if I had to, I would picture myself doing good while consistently creating, inspiring and growing. I hope, by then, several books of mine will have been published in different languages and maybe one or two movies will have been made based on the books. And my philosophy and photography will be shared in different parts of the world.

Anything else you would like to share?

Yes, again thank you so much for this great opportunity to introduce myself. One more thing I would like to mention to all readers: please don’t be afraid to walk into a totally new place, and don’t be afraid to talk to the stranger next to you. The fun of life comes from spontaneity and you will be amazed a lot of times!