In 2014, I went to a Holi festival party in Munich. “I feel good,” I said, bobbing to electronic music in a sea of endless colors. I’m not sure I even drank alcohol, but if I did, it wasn’t much. Still, it was a day I’ll remember forever.
For the 2025 International Auto Show in Munich, I met up with a friend. We only briefly visited the event. It was lackluster and had little to show for in the way of cars. Not like it used to, anyway. We then spent most of the day sitting outside at a pub a few streets over, drinking negroni, chatting about everything under the sun. We ended up getting pizza and going to more bars later. I had a massive hangover the next day, but I remember feeling good the entire time. Another day to remember forever.
Such moments are easy to point to. The ones when you feel ecstatic-good. A special meal or event. When you receive great, life-changing news. Buzzing on drinks, good music, or effortless conversation.
Today is a day like any other. I woke up, brushed teeth. Worked out, meditated. Discovered my heating doesn’t work and started talking to my landlord about it. But as I sat down on the couch in the cold living room, I thought: “I feel good. Quiet-good.”
Quiet-good isn’t a frenzy. It’s not excitement, adrenaline, and emotions. Quiet-good is calm. Aware. Ready for whatever the day might throw at you.
Ecstatic-good depends on life handing you a win. You won’t feel it when sitting down for a Tuesday lunch at your kitchen table. Quiet-good depends only on the mind. Some habits will support it, but in theory, you can get into the right frame anytime, anywhere.
Quiet-good feels only nice but is essential. Ecstatic-good feels essential but is only nice. The latter will never be more than an accent, whereas quiet-good should make up most of the alphabet. Focus on quiet-good, and much good will quietly follow.
