Uncovering Potential, Practicing Contentment, and Refusing to Settle

I’ve had several moments lately, quiet ones with my family, in meditation, and during my daily gratitude practice. They’ve reminded me of something that’s becoming clearer by the day:

Happiness cannot be bought.

Now, before you roll your eyes or think that’s easy for you to say, hear me out.

People say money can’t buy happiness, but let’s be honest: when you're constantly worried about how to feed your family or pay the bills, money absolutely affects your happiness. Security matters. Stability matters.

But once those foundational needs are met, happiness often comes from something deeper; how seen, valued, and supported we feel. That’s where leadership and culture come in. Plenty have tried to bottle happiness. All have failed. Because real happiness isn’t rooted in accumulation; it’s found in contentment.

But let’s be clear: Contentment isn’t the same as settling.

Settling is the quiet compromise we make when we stop reaching for what’s possible, not because we’ve found peace, but because we’re afraid to fail, afraid to stand out, or simply too tired to try.

Contentment is different.

It’s the presence of gratitude in the absence of lack. It’s knowing who you are, acknowledging what you have, and honouring the privilege and potential you carry; even when it would be easier to numb out or scroll past it.

And here’s something I’ve been thinking about more deeply:

"It’s in the absence of wanting, that you find peace." – Tamara Levitt

There’s a fine line between honouring what you have and holding yourself back. That’s why at TAP, we talk so much about being a good steward of your gifts, your experience, your voice, your leadership, your opportunity. When you have the ability to influence, to create, to build; it’s not just about you. It’s about what you do with it.

I didn’t build TAP or start the work on Jason’s Safe Harbour Society because it was easy. I did it because I felt I had to. Because if I didn’t, who would? I had the passion, the know-how, and the privilege of perspective. And it became clear that ignoring that wasn’t an option anymore.

We hear a lot about how comparison is the thief of joy; and often, that’s true. Especially when it fuels shame, scarcity, or envy. But sometimes, a humble comparison to those with far fewer resources can bring clarity. It can remind us to be grateful. To acknowledge our position and to use it with intention.

Here’s a stat that might surprise you: According to the 2023 Global Wealth Report by Credit Suisse and UBS, an annual income of just over $50,000 USD puts you in the top 1% of earners globally. That’s not a typo. Let it sink in.

The point isn’t to guilt ourselves but to ground ourselves. We don’t need to chase extreme wealth or visibility to make a difference. What we are responsible for is leading ourselves with clarity and purpose. To use what we’ve been given, however big or small, to elevate others. To pursue goals not just for achievement, but for real, human impact

So, here’s the challenge:

Acknowledge what you have. Sit with it. And ask yourself honestly: Am I settling… or am I choosing contentment?

“Settling shrinks us. Contentment centres us. And stewardship? That expands us. The journey to uncovering your potential begins the moment you recognize that what you can offer still matters.”

Practice gratitude and stay open. Because your greatest contribution might be the very thing you’ve been holding back.