Why is it that those who hardly think of themselves are always happy, while those most self-concerned can never truly celebrate anything?

Because the more space you occupy, the less room you leave for joy.

There are those who fill their entire space with self-concern. Nothing they receive, no degree of recognition, can match the space already occupied by their self-concern.

But those who make themselves small welcome everything with joy. And if once in a while life does not provide its bounty—well, if you don‘t deserve anything anyways, what is there to be depressed about?

In fact, if you feel small enough, then you rejoice when you‘re lacking too. Because small people don‘t create big issues out of things that go wrong.

Make yourself small, and there will always be room for happiness.

Sefer Hamaamarim 5679, page 91, cited and elucidated in Maamar Chayei Sarah, 5741.