Last updated on May 13th, 2025 at 07:44 am
May 6, 2025
Here is the best thing I heard (What?), saw (Eye.), and read (Read.) this week, as well as the best idea (💡) I developed.
What?
Y Religion Podcast | Understanding Our Jewish Neighbors (Shon Hopkin) | S6 E127:
- [Dr. Jared Halverson] “You defined ‘interfaith dialogue’ in these terms.”
[Quoting Dr. Shon Hopkin] “‘It is a meaningful two-way conversation where both Latter-day Saints and our neighbors of other faiths learn from one another and leave more committed to, and excited about, their own religion. Having been strengthened spiritually, we can both find ways to work together in common causes of righteousness and go forth to bless the world in our own unique and inspired ways.'”
[Dr. Jared Halverson] “Beautiful definition. Anything you want to expand upon that?”
[Dr. Shon Hopkin] “You made that sentence sound so much better than I thought it sounded when I wrote it. Thank you. Amen. And I would add that I do have some self-interested purposes in interfaith dialogue. I do hope to help others recognize why my beliefs are beautiful. Why a rational human being, such as I try to be, would find this persuasive and beautiful. And … I’m seeking to learn the same thing about others. So, I hope that they are also self-interested in those. Those are the kind of people I hope to dialogue with, right? Who believe what they believe and love it.”
Eye.
Lying on the Floor Prank (Instagram):
- I told my wife, Morgan, that one of my applications from General Conference Applied S5 E5 was to laugh more. She proceeded to show me a reel of “lying on the floor pranks.” Go to social media (I went to Instagram) and search for “lying on the floor prank” – and prepare to laugh. I may or may not have cried from laughing so hard!
Read.
- “The mental aspect of warming up is just as crucial, if not more so. This is the time to center yourself, to shift your focus inward and visualize success. Visualization techniques can help you mentally rehearse your game plan, envisioning successful shots and strategic plays. See yourself executing a perfect serve, returning with precision, and outmaneuvering your opponent. This mental rehearsal builds confidence and sets a positive tone for the match. Breathing exercises also play an important role. Deep, controlled breaths help calm your nerves and sharpen your focus, creating a sense of calm and readiness. Think of it as a mindfulness exercise, grounding you in the present moment and freeing your mind from distractions. …
“Warming up is more than preparation; it’s an opportunity to connect your physical actions with your mental state. It’s about creating a unified approach where body and mind work in harmony. As you develop your warm-up routine, remember that consistency is key. Tailor it to suit your individual needs and preferences, making adjustments as necessary. The goal is to create a routine that prepares you physically and empowers you mentally. When you step onto the court, you’ll feel ready for whatever the game throws at you. With each match, your warm-up routine will become a familiar friend, guiding you to perform at your best and enjoy the game to its fullest.” - I have played very little pickleball in my life – perhaps I will make time for it in the future. However, Kevin’s description of a powerful warm-up routine got me thinking about how I “warm-up” for the two podcast episodes I record each week with Clay Soelberg. I have never taken the time to visualize myself producing an excellent episode. I have never taken the time to sit calmly and take deep, controlled breaths. I intend to develop a warm-up routine for my podcast episode recording that “will become a familiar friend, guiding [me] to perform at [my] best and enjoy the [experience] to its fullest.”
💡
For general conference addresses that are more doctrinally based and which don’t have stories, it is important for me to find a story to share in the corresponding General Conference Applied Podcast episode.