The natural world is filled with surprises, and while some are unpleasant, many are reminders of how lucky we are to experience an unexpected encounter with something delightful, disarming, perplexing or simply entertaining. 

The key to appreciating such gifts is to approach one’s life with an ongoing openness to a sense of wonder. One could do worse than to wander into the day prepared to embrace chance amid the daily grind of circumstance. 

Put another way, “Practice wonder today—be present, begin again, know nothing, and allow everything to surprise you, inspire you, excite you, entertain you, teach you. Be fully open to life, today, and let yourself live wonder-fully,” advises psychologist Robert Holden, author of 10 best-selling books and founder of The Happiness Project and Success Intelligence.

By the time this column is printed, the 2024 Upper Delaware BioBlitz (upperdelawarebioblitz.com) will be behind us. The data collected will be compiled to create the latest patch comprising the quilt of parcels documenting life forms inhabiting the Upper Delaware River region.

Stay tuned to find out what surprises the scientists and other volunteers found during their 24-hour surveillance at the Highlights Foundation Retreat Center in Boyds Mills, PA.