About contentment

" There is a verse from the Dhammapada where the Buddha says that contentment is the greatest wealth. I find this an important contemplation because if we really cultivate an attitude of contentment, we actually enjoy life much more. But it´s not a quality that´s widely recognized or appreciated. In fact the whole economy would probably collapse if people became too content. Nobody would ever want to buy anything new or improve on things; they´s always just be content with what they had. There are so many pressures in our society to not be content. I remember the advertisements from when I used to watch TV; they were all trying to make you feel you have to get something 'better', more delicious, the 'lattest' model. When I go to teach at the Buddhist Society in London I see advertisements and enormous posters everywhere -- even on the sides of buses-- that make you want all kinds of things you never really thought about before: more exotic holidays or better insurance deals. And suddenly I'd find myself wondering if maybe I should insure my life, or insure against getting sick. So it´s very difficult to avoid the feeling of discontent, because all day long you´re being told that there´s this thing that´s going to be 'better' -- and that you should get it, otherwise you might miss out." Ajahn Candasiri (From the book 'Seeing the Way')