Metaphors for STO and STS

[Ruth]

So, metaphor absorb/radiate ... When we enter catalyst with STS mentality, is it the other that is STS-absorbing my energy? Or am I trying to absorb the other by thinking negative thoughts about them?

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I'm thinking it is the latter.

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If so, when I claim someone or something is STS, then, in reality, my negative thought about it is the STS nature of it. This would go for anything I deem STS.

I think you're on to something here, 3DMonkey. You are right that the "rule" says to treat others as you want to be treated. However most of us fall into the trap of treating others as they have treated us, and use "the rule" as our justification. "Hey, he hit me first."

The rule only really works if you look inward and ask yourself in any given situation, "how would I want to be treated if I were exhibiting this behavior/attitude, facing this challenge whatever." I like the saying about walking a mile in another's moccasins before criticizing. Or the Bible verse that says something about taking the beam out of your own eye so you can see more clearly how to remove the tiny splinter in someone else's eye.

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As for charitable acts - while I agree they are not necessary for STO orientation/polarity - I have found them to be a wonderful education, and have learned to understand, by doing charitable acts, the power in the cycle of giving/receiving/giving.