The Power of Trying: Finding Light Through the Darkest Times

Long ago, I found myself in the middle of a very dark chapter in my life. I was seated across from a mental health practitioner, feeling lost, frustrated, and overcome with despair. Every option felt impossible; every solution seemed out of reach. I looked at him, his pen poised above the prescription pad, and I cried out, “But what can I do?” His answer was simple, yet profound: “You can always try.”

It was a small statement that held a powerful truth, one that has guided me time and again in different circumstances. No matter how bleak things might feel, we always have the choice to try. It doesn’t mean knowing exactly what to do or being sure of the outcome. It simply means taking a step—even a tiny one—in some direction.

There’s a saying that it’s easier to steer a moving object than one that is stationary. This truth applies to our energy as well. Movement, no matter how small, creates momentum. And when we try—when we just take a single step forward—we shift from being stuck to being in motion. That motion opens doors we couldn’t see when standing still. The simple act of trying is a quiet, resilient whisper to the universe that we aren’t giving up.

When we commit to trying, we enter a world of infinite possibilities, often described as “infinite diversity in infinite combinations.” It’s not about having all the answers or taking leaps; it’s about being open to what might come next. Even the smallest effort is never wasted. We may not see immediate results, but those efforts have a way of building on each other. Sometimes they surprise us, showing up as opportunities we hadn’t dreamed of or as new people entering our lives when we least expected them.

In life and career, the act of trying often leads us to places we wouldn’t have found otherwise. New connections, fresh ideas, and unexpected solutions often appear only after we’ve taken that first step. Trying is its own reward, giving us not only hope but also opening us to experiences that enrich us in ways we couldn’t have planned.

So, when you find yourself in a moment of doubt, remember: you can always try. That small act of courage, of moving forward despite uncertainty, is what shapes the path to a brighter tomorrow. Keep moving. Keep trying. A new chapter may be closer than you think.