Having contentment and gratitude in the present moment is the surest way to achieve success. Contentment is not greedy, possessive, jealous or impatient. Contentment and gratitude are signs that you are worthy of further receivership. They are indicators of inner-maturity and balance. They are the attributes of the naturally gifted and of those who have carefully cultivated themselves spiritually and intellectually. When you accept that there is no success greater than inner-peace and contentment, you instantly qualify yourself for more success. Contentment also protects your existing successes. Without inner-peace and contentment, success will ultimately destroy you along with everything you have created, or are trying to create.
Materialism is, after all, the natural behavior born out of discontent with the possessions that we own. We live in a society that breeds discontent by defining the American Dream as owning bigger homes, nicer cars, and fuller closets. Advertisers foster this sense of dissatisfaction by promising greater happiness with their products. And too often, we foolishly fall into their trap without realizing it.
But there are other unhealthy habits in our lives born out of discontent. For example, dishonesty is born out of discontent with the truth. Greed is born out of discontent with our current supply. Substance abuse is born out of displeasure with the current state of our lives. Even many of the feuds in our families are born out of discontent with our closest relationships.