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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What is funny to me is when we use the beam ananology in the way you just described- by claiming the other has the beam.

"you have a beam in your eye"
"you think it's me because the beam is in your eye blocking your vision"
"no, I see it clearly, and the beam is in your eye"
"how could you know? The beam is in your eye"

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Another bible verse-

""The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. (Matthew 6:22 NASB)"

""The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! (Matthew 6:22, 23 NASB)"

"Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? (Luke 6:41 NASB)"

Oops - I didn't mean you, as in you 3DMonkey. I meant you as in me, Ruth. In other words, if/when I feel like someone else isn't seeing things properly, or behaving properly, I'd best head to the mirror and figure out why I can't see. Or at least try to remove my own feeling/distortions and see things as they see them, or "walk a mile in their moccasins." Usually if I do this, I find the Creator's love can shine through again.

Sorry for not being clear.