On Writing as a Discipline, a Practice

My brain is too scattered, so here are a few scattered thoughts on writing and why I write. On the why? Writing, to me, is cathartic exercise. It acts like a pressure release valve. It makes me calmer. The very act of writing clarifies my thoughts, and helps sharpen my mind. It gives me distance from my thoughts, makes me more objective. It helps me learn better. As I was learning Maths last year, the teacher constantly reminded me that learning, true learing and understanding, comes from written practice. Knowledge, he’d say flows upwards, through the pen to your fingers, through your brain and into your mind. ...

December 13, 2019 · Mario Jason Braganza

How to Stop Checking Your (My) Phone

As I battle my physical demons, the newsletter will probably be on this slightly off cadence as I struggle mightily throughout the week, thinking about what to write, failing and then at the last minute panicking and sharing a short snippet of something I love and enjoy. I hope you do too :) ...

December 2, 2019 · Mario Jason Braganza

My Friend

I have to learn to make time for reading and writing, which has slowed to a crawl ever since I am slowly getting back to life. Hence these untimely letters. This week, I present a little story I read when I was, oh, about ten years old. Thirty years later, it still guides my actions and affirms my faith. It has always given me a strange kind of freedom, when it comes to my how I go about life, encouraging me to do my best, and not to worry even if I stumble. It planted the very powerful seed, that God if (s)he exists, is more loving than just. I just ought to be a good human. ...

November 25, 2019 · Mario Jason Braganza

I Am Here, (Trying Really Hard to Show Up)

Sorry, but not sorry about the lack of the weekly email yesterday :) The phone is dead, the computer’s crashed and the net is not working. In short, Murphy definitely has not left the building. But if I am to be successful at what I do, if I aim to earn your trust, I need to show up :) To quote Seth, Showing up on time, with a smile on your face is almost always more important than what you actually say or do. ...

November 19, 2019 · Mario Jason Braganza

Books I’ve Read, October Edition

Before we begin the festivities, here’s a small aside to the techheads who follow me and the tech muggles who care about privacy. (Which should actually be all of us, considering the various invasions of privacy happening) My friend and mentor, Kushal writes short newsy notes on what goes on in that world. Why privacy matters and how the powers that be are stripmining our privacy and what we can do to protect it. ...

November 11, 2019 · Mario Jason Braganza

Inessential Turns 20!

From the celebratory post, Old proverb: “The best time to start a blog was 20 years ago. The second-best time is today.” :) This is what I want for my blogs to become too. Not popular, but to have a long active life, full of stuff that inspires me and helps others.

November 9, 2019 · Mario Jason Braganza