Noach is criticized for starting a new world by planting grapes instead of wheat. (Rashi). First it says: וְנֹחַ מָּצָּא חֵן בְעֵינֵי ה' ו ח Noach found favor (Chen) in the eyes of Hashem, and only later it says: נֹחַ אִיש צַדִ יק ו ט Noach was a Tzadik. Chen means that you are Geshmak and well-liked, and it appears that this should come first in your life. Like a Baal Bitachon who is not necessarily such a Tzaddik; just that Hashem likes him because he is a: מְקוּרָּב לְמַלְכוּת person who is connected with royalty. (R' Dovid Bleicher Zatzal). All the Madregos in Avodas Hashem and Torah and Mitzvos can come later!
Perhaps this is why Noach started with grapes and wine, which are Chen (Geshmak) and Simcha. So many of us would do much better if we would put more effort in becoming happy and Geshmak and having Bitachon; even at the cost of less Torah, Tefila, and Chasadim, etc. Dovid used to split his time: ½ a night learning Torah, and the next ½ singing (Gemara). But once he was punished when he said: זְמִרוֹת הָּיוּ לִי חֻּקֶיךָ תהלים קיט נד Your commandments are to me like a (mere) song. (Gemara).
Sometimes you have to be less in a Simcha mode, and more in a serious Torah and Mitzvos mode.
The truth is that if you aren't overflowing with appreciation and thankfulness over your own Maalos, then you have deep-seated complaints to Hashem for not making you better....
