Making a difference rarely is the result of stunningly bright talent alone. Genius and the odd bent of ability, while useful, will only serve for a portion of any extended journey. Persistence and the knack for continually being able to put yourself in front of what you want is required to achieve anything remarkable.Put yourself in front of what you want. Come back time and again, like a punch-down clown that knows only how to find vertical, or a floating magnetic needle that unceasingly seeks north. Put yourself in front of what you want, regardless of consequence, regardless of opinion and regardless of obstacles that arise to test your mettle and spirit.

This is the essential habit for anyone who wishes to live a larger version of life.

Put yourself in front of it! Hone your internal pathfinder, sharpen your discernment, follow what furthers you, however far afield it may seem.

This is not a journey for those not willing to fail, or unable to grasp the reins of success. Failure is part of the landscape, a part toward which we have a visceral aversion, but one that helps us to solidify fundamentals. Success, like any intoxicate, can lead to a spiral of missteps should we lack a firm grounding and essential clarity of purpose.

This is not a journey for those not willing to ride the polarities of change. The process is relentless, and you must become equally solid in your resolve.

Most of us, if we lift our heads up and out of the rule-bound whispers of imagined safety and social consensus, realize that our own hands are on the rudder of life. We can steer toward any dream we wish to dare. Vision, passion and intention are powerful tools that unfold a path where we can tread unmapped territory.

While there are setbacks, the effort at times is rewarded by divine providence or synchronistic moments of affirmation and assistance, like stepping stones placed just so across a river.

Some call it luck; some call it coincidence. I suspect, however, that as much as we are seeking a dream, that there too is a dream seeking us. Goals, intention, scribbles in a notebook and practiced consideration all are tools of value on this journey. None are as powerful as simply, — and continually — putting yourself in front of what you want.

Keep putting yourself in front of your dream, and at some point it will mow you down.

Want to learn a language? Go live where they speak it. Want to learn a skill? Find a way to connect your desire for learning with a master that has been awaiting the arrival of an attentive and dedicated student. Want to see change in the world? Create a product or a process that enhances life. Want the world to more strongly reflect your values? Put yourself in front of it.

Dreams are not measured by their achievability. They have their own measure and rule. They are not like prey to be pursued. In fact, they are out there hunting you down. Just as miracles seek prayers, as passion seeks the burn of desire, dreams hone in on those with unyielding intent and follow-through.

Such an approach is not for the faint of heart. It is not a quick fix; it never is. It is not found on the path of the conventional, as it does not thrive there. It might not be found in our current skill set or bag of tricks, which perhaps must be left behind or transmuted into something with wings or claws or polished brilliance. All points of departure are about loss and release.

There are indeed dragons at the edges of our maps. Ride them!

Put yourself in front of what you want.

In Chinese medicine, the spice you likely know as turmeric is called Jiang Huang. Turmeric is what gives a vivid yellow punch of color and provides a deep base note of pungency to curry and other dishes. Chinese herbalists use this herb to help enliven and purify the blood.

It is especially helpful for joint pain, and there is research that shows it to have anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and digestive-regulating qualities as well. Traditionally, turmeric has been used for healing wounds, treating pain and skin conditions and helping with weight loss. It also shows promise in helping with the treatment of cancer.

On a visit to Bali some years ago, a drink featuring turmeric was my favorite afternoon refresher. The restaurant was rather closed-mouthed about the recipe, but as best I could discern, it was a mixture of turmeric, ginger, tamarind, mint and some kind of acidic, sweet citrus or pineapple juice.

I’ve figured out two ways to make this drink. One is quite simple, just mixing up powdered ginger and powdered turmeric. The other is a bit more complicated, as it calls for fresh ingredients and involves boiling water and a blender.

A cautionary note: Fresh turmeric is yellow — very, very yellow — and oily too, so it makes a bit of mess in the kitchen. (Tracy would tell you it makes a big mess.) You’ve been warned! But it’s worth it.

Fresh Method

This makes about a quart of concentrate. Add it to water, coconut milk, orange or pineapple juice or — if you like your beverages carbonated – sparkling water.

Peel the skin off the turmeric roots and cut into quarter-inch pieces. (Remember this stuff is YELLOW. You may want to wear thin plastic gloves.)Put diced turmeric, tamarind paste, and 1 cup of water into a blender and spin the mixture into a coarse slurry.

In a large saucepan, combine the blended mixture with 4 cups of water, the sliced ginger, salt and a dash of black pepper to enhance your body’s ability to use the turmeric. Bring to a slight boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes.

As mixture cools, add the honey and lime juice. Once the mixture has cooled, strain into a quart glass jar and store in the refrigerator. It will keep for 3 to 4 days.

Depending on how strong you like it, use one part concentrate to one to two parts other liquid. Add some crushed mint and enjoy!

Quick and Easy Method

In a saucepan, combine turmeric, black pepper, ginger, tamarind paste and water. Bring mixture to a boil, then simmer for 15 minutes.Stir in 1 to 2 tablespoons of honey to taste. Add lime juice. (Usually juice from half a lime is plenty.)

When mixture cools, combine it with orange or pineapple juice or coconut milk or coconut water, to taste.

This is an excellent blood and liver tonic and is a perfect drink as we move through the spring season! Chinese medicine sees a relationship between the liver and the spring season, so now is the perfect time to give your liver a little love.