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In my mind, humility is an essential virtue necessary to progress in studies. Imagine the study of Mathematics. The more earnestly you pursue the more you find what you don’t know. This can be a agonizingly intimidating and disorienting experience. Those are the times when you realize that if just understanding what is already known is difficult, how more would it be to contribute to the unknown. Do I, with my modest abilities, even have a place in the tall order of the truly gifted people ? What good can be a student if he has lost the motivation to proceed. ...

(This is the first post in the “Hello Mathew” series. The aim of this series is to share the richness of a professional software engineer’s life with budding engineers. I hope that some of the experiences I share will encourage others to embrace programming as their passion) Data Structures and Algorithms are essential topics in most software engineering job interviews (at least in the early years). However, this is an aspect of the profession that is sometimes overlooked. It’s especially true with people who came to programming through a “build it” approach. Think of what draws you the most to programming. Is it that you can build amazing things in the computer ? If so, contrast with someone else for whom programming is more about solving difficult puzzles or tasks. There are higher chances that a “build it” person might overlook the topic of algorithms. ...

Discernment – if we imagine life to be a journey, there are times when the road is long and straight; then there are those times when we reach a crossroad and need to make a choice. This choice is what discernment is all about. If you will listen, I will share with you a secret … a formula for discernment, something which will always work ! It is, discernment by way of peace. Choose the way that will guarantee peace – within yourself and among others. This is the secret. ...

I watched the movie in theatre today and felt a sense of peace throughout the film and left with my faith strengthened. Here is an account of some of the things that impressed me. I felt it was an authentic portrayal of the Christian faith through the witness of Paul. The movie catches up with Paul in his last days. I saw that there was not an iota of doubt in him, about what he had worked for throughout the missionary life. He tells the Roman Prefect, “No man will die for what he doubts”. ...

Today is Good Friday and I got the opportunity to altar serve today. A few thoughts that occurred to me during the service inspired me to write this post. First of all, Good Friday draws the largest crowd of the year. How true it is when Jesus said, when I am lifted up I will draw all men to myself ! Secondly, my own experience serving at the altar made me realize how rich in meaning and central to our faith is the interplay of one’s one will and the will of God. ...

Truth: Simple, yet so difficult at times. As a believer in God, I have a simple picture about truth. And that is, the Truth. But, I realize that it’s not the case with all, especially, those who don’t necessarily believe in God. In that point of view, truth is not absolute and hence more complex and nuanced. Given this backdrop of differing opinions about truth, one philosophy that emerges is that of personal faith; where we agree to disagree. ...