What is a "Teachable Moment"?

The teachable moment isn’t about making flashy displays or planning an activity overloaded with sensory stimulation.  The teachable moment embraces tiny details—the first wildflower of spring, a salamander spotted through the glare of a creek’s surface, the call of a Great Horned Owl in winter darkness—and, like a dry forest in summer, the tiniest spark ignites the mind and spirit.  The teachable moment celebrates the fleeting, the unique, the breathtaking; it gives a standing ovation to the miraculous, intricate face of the outdoors, all things great and small.

What do I love most about the teachable moment?  Instinct.  It satisfies one’s natural wonder, a wonder that I believe exists no matter your age or upbringing, that only needs nurtured to be drawn out.  It's a teachable "moment" because it can disappear with great speed, bounding away into the forest on four tapered legs with its tail held high.  Take a deep breath of fresh air and let your senses (and your curiosity) be sated.

Whether it's at Strawberry Hill or in your own back yard, take the time to let a teachable moment catch your eye, even if you're only teaching yourself today.