Ashton H. Per. 7

To me, I think it is fantastic that the author, Patrick Madden, can find such extraordinary meaning in the smallest things that some may think is completely boring, or ordinary. Madden wrote, "before I knew what I know now — students inevitably sought their most dramatic, easily significant experiences. For the majority of them, this translated to tales of loss or conquest. Grandparents died; girlfriends broke up with boyfriends; young athletes were nearly cut from school sports teams only to rise up and win a starting spot in the squad, then, preferably, to make the winning

shot in the state championships." I enjoy this piece of the writing because of the truth behind it.  It seems like whenever I am given a choice on what I would like to write about, or I just need to write something, I always turn to your obvious topics, like where I have been on vacation, or how we won the basketball title, or anything like that. Madden opened my eyes to the fact that sometimes the things that are less obvious, or maybe the things that are so obvious that they are commonly overlooked, are the best things to right about. Reading The Infinite Suggestiveness of Common Things helped me to realize that I need to be more observant, and appreciative of everything that I see throughout my day, and my life. Madden explains during his writing the essayist "lifts a pebble from the ground, and sets it aside more carefully than any gem." This to me means that when writing I need to look past the common, or easily achieved idea that I may have about something, and dig deeper, trying to find more meaning, and purpose behind any common topic. The idea that the world around us gives us infinite inspiration for anything that we may right is an encouraging one. Madden has helped me to wake up to the fact that while I may struggle over topics, and ideas for days, the real answers to my questions may be right beneath my feet.