How can you be the most miserable?

or the maximum amount of happy?

In partnership with

As I was going through my past notes, I noticed a quick note I took, when?

Who knows…

The note read:

Emotional extremes.

"That sounds fun to think about," I thought to myself as I re-read the randomly stumbled upon note.

I asked myself, "If I'm feeling miserable, is it possible to feel more miserable?"

Almost immediately, I said no to myself.

Huh…?

That's interesting, does that mean I'm always maximum miserable whenever I'm miserable?

What about when I'm feeling joy? Can I feel more joy than the joy I feel?

Huh… again…

And again… no. I can't feel more joy than the joy I’m feeling.

Joy gets maxed out upon arrival.

And now for a word from our sponsors

…Then we’ll be back to your regularly scheduled programming.

Learn how to become an “Intelligent Investor.”

Warren Buffett says great investors read 8 hours per day. What if you only have 5 minutes a day? Then, read Value Investor Daily.

Every week, it covers:

  • Value stock ideas - today’s biggest value opportunities 📈

  • Principles of investing - timeless lessons from top value investors 💰

  • Investing resources - investor tools and hidden gems 🔎

You’ll save time and energy and become a smarter investor in just minutes daily–free! 👇

If this is the case, just do the things that bring you joy. Arguably, and I could argue it, but listening to your favorite song is equally enjoyable as taking a trip to Paris.

You can just listen to your song at any time. While Paris is a one-ish time deal and thousands of dollars, and probably a fair amount of undue stress.

On the contrary, from now on, if I can remember, when I’m feeling miserable, I’m going to just ask myself, "can I feel more miserable?"

The question will be ridiculous, and I'll just feel comfort in the fact that I'm feeling the most miserable I can feel, so at least, I can’t feel more miserable.

Can things get worse? Sure!

Can things get better? Also sure!

But the core feeling that bubbles up when I feel the misery is equal regardless of what causes the misery.

Now, misery isn’t the same as pain.

Pain can range from 1-10. 1 a cute pinch to 10 an arrow through the shoulder and someone wiggles it while it’s still in there every few minutes.

And Joy isn’t the same as pleasure.

You can feel pleasure on a scale as well, 1 could be a soft blanket on your skin, while 10 could be the most powerful and long orgasm you’ve ever had with someone you love.

What follows is the satisfaction, the joy from the pleasurable experience. Maybe the memory.

So the next time you’re feeling miserable, just remember, if you can, that you most likely won't feel more miserable.

However, the length to which you feel the misery I’ll talk about in next week's newsletter. As I was going through my past notes, I noticed a quick note I took, when?

Who knows…

The note read:

Emotional extremes.

"That sounds fun to think about," I thought to myself as I re-read the randomly stumbled upon note.

I asked myself, "If I'm feeling miserable, is it possible to feel more miserable?"

Almost immediately, I said no to myself.

Huh…?

That's interesting, does that mean I'm always maximum miserable whenever I'm miserable?

What about when I'm feeling joy? Can I feel more joy than the joy I feel?

Huh… again…

And again… no. I can't feel more joy than the joy I’m feeling.

Joy gets maxed out upon arrival.

If this is the case, just do the things that bring you joy. Arguably, and I could argue it, but listening to your favorite song is equally enjoyable as taking a trip to Paris.

You can just listen to your song at any time. While Paris is a one-ish time deal and thousands of dollars, and probably a fair amount of undue stress.

On the contrary, from now on, if I can remember, when I’m feeling miserable, I’m going to just ask myself, "can I feel more miserable?"

The question will be ridiculous, and I'll just feel comfort in the fact that I'm feeling the most miserable I can feel, so at least, I can’t feel more miserable.

Can things get worse? Sure!

Can things get better? Also sure!

But the core feeling that bubbles up when I feel the misery is equal regardless of what causes the misery.

Now, misery isn’t the same as pain.

Pain can range from 1-10. 1 a cute pinch to 10 an arrow through the shoulder and someone wiggles it while it’s still in there every few minutes.

And Joy isn’t the same as pleasure.

You can feel pleasure on a scale as well, 1 could be a soft blanket on your skin, while 10 could be the most powerful and long orgasm you’ve ever had with someone you love.

What follows is the satisfaction, the joy from the pleasurable experience. Maybe the memory.

So the next time you’re feeling miserable, just remember, if you can, that you most likely won't feel more miserable.

However, the length to which you feel the misery I’ll talk about in next week's newsletter.