Our summer Forum 2025 issue, which features a column on education and academics, includes a reflective piece by Kelly Matthews. In her column, Matthews shares how the sights along her daily commute have shaped her thinking. If you didn’t get a chance to read her column, you can check it out here.

What do you see on your work commute each day that others might find interesting? For Forum editor Danny Heitman, it’s the unexpected glimpse of wildlife along a Baton Rouge, Louisiana, canal. “I have a super-short commute since I work just a few blocks from my office,” he said. “But the trip takes me by a huge canal where egrets sometimes hunt for breakfast. It reminds me that even in a city, nature can thrive.”

We’d love to hear what makes your commute unique. Extend the conversation and share what you see along the way. Feel free to share pictures, too, if you’d like.

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