Sith Lords and Boxification: Part I

I had great conversations with two amazing coworkers (names shall remain hidden to protect identities) over the past couple days:

Sith Lords: The force is strong within you, young-ling. Use it for good!

Coworker A: I keep finding corporate CEOs and world leaders who resemble Emperor Palpatine.
Me: Creepy. It's annoying that so many executives resemble hidden Sith lords.

Yes we were talking in stereotypes, but the physical similarities between Emperor Palpatine and a few known world leaders (names shall remain hidden to protect the innocent and not-so innocent) are undeniable. One could argue mental dispositions are similar too. But why is that?

I am interested in answering this question for my own sanity and the sake of the people since I've always wanted to run the world. In fact, I think I am destined to run the world. Yes the previous statement may read conceited and overconfident but it is something I have been thinking since the age of 7. I have been preparing for many years by reading interviews with famous scientists, intellectuals, entrepreneurs and doctors in magazines to identify potential answers to various questions. I've imagined what I'd say in interviews to project different images.

Me: I would like to be a tree. [Note: I am not as good of a human as Katherine Hepburn and probably would never say this. But hypothetically if I did the conversation could go in one of the following different ways]

Barbara Walters: What kind of tree?
Nice, Caring Me: I am a sensitive willow tree by a gentle, bubbling stream. I shelter parents and kids as they have picnics below my branches. I am a source of joy for others.
Yoga Me: I am a strong oak with roots that dig deep into our Sacred Earth. My branches sway with the wind but my foundation is always strong.
Clever Me: One that exists. [Note: This reminds me of the time some CMU CS friends happened up on a large wooden uppercase epsilon in the lobby of my dorm and took photos by it to prove they existed. Fun times in nerdville. I wonder why someone built the epsilon? Probably for a silly fraternity ritual.]
Weirdo Me: I am a tree that flies! [Note: It'd be cool to be a flying, superhero tree.]

This thought process may read as calculated and contrived, but its what goes on in my head all the time. The interesting part is all of these answers are equally correct - I think all of these things, many of them simultaneously. As you may infer, I consistently personality type as an ENTJ. However, I recently read the book "Quiet: The Power of Introverts" and typed high as an introvert. Maybe I just like checking of 'yes' in questionnaires?

Anywho, this got me thinking about common portrayals of good and evil. Evil characters are always depicted as calculating and manipulative. Good characters are shown as honest, naive, and often get taken advantage of by evil characters. They are too good to see through the charms of the evil characters and spent most of their lives struggling to move forward. Evil characters seem on a constant path towards success but eventually demise due to their one fatal flaw.

I've struggled most of my life to figure out if I'm good or evil. I am ambitious, logical and have goals to do big things and run the world. At an intuitive level, I continuously plan to achieve those goals. I instantly view the actions of others equally schematic/thought out. I used to think feelings were a weakness and hid mine as much as possible. Lately, I purposefully have focused on diving into yoga to shift this perspective and grow more comfortable with my feelings as well as those of others. However, it's still a very conscious effort to view the world in terms of emotions instead of logic.

Coincidentally, my mom has been watching East of Eden. I read the book a long time ago, but forgot most of the story. East of Eden focuses on discussing the classic question of good versus evil...and concludes with the notion of choice, or timshel - thou mayest. A person can choose how to act. Our choices define who we are.

This led me to conclude that I am not evil. I am a normal, flawed human being who has made some bad decisions and will continue to make some bad decisions. I want to use my skills/talents to do good, but the complexities of the world make it hard to tell sometimes. I see the good in others and want to help them be successful. I choose to be good! I am normal!

<Insert mental image - my friend's shirt that showed the mirror image of the world normal - lamron>