What brings joy to our days, and makes them good?

Pondering the texts in the style of the ancient Biblical scholars; I'm fairly fond of some of their approaches.

What brings joy to our days, and makes them good?

It is to see the wonders of creation, as it is written that the Holy One said, "He saw that it was good." 

It is to do something of value and worth, as it is written that he made it, and saw that it was good.  

It is to be a companion to another so that they are not alone, as it is written, "It is not good for man to be alone." 

In all these things, we walk after the ways of God.

• The artist walks after the way of God, to bring forth a thing of beauty. 
• The craftsman walks after the way of God, to bring forth a thing of worth. 
• The gardener walks after the way of God, as it is written, "He planted a garden in the East."
• The companion walks after the way of God, as it is written that he walked in the cool of the evening. 
• The husband and wife walk in the way of God, as it is written that they brought forth a new life. 

There are other acts in which we walk after the ways of God:

• An act of justice, as it makes people bless God.
• An act of mercy, as it makes people bless God. 

Is there a contradiction? On the one hand it is written, to do your alms in private, and in another it is written, "that they may see your good works and glorify your father in heaven"?

There is no contradiction, for "Do your alms in private" refers to works that bring praise to yourself, as it is written, "they have already received their reward", while the other refers to works that bring praise to the Holy One, as it is written, "that they may glorify your Father in heaven."