Thinking Too Hard

The emperor is a peculiar sort. He shuffles around to pour tea without ever changing the expression on his face. It is something I think he has practiced for a very long time, because he is good at it. He is unreadable, but exudes a peaceful nature. When I think about it--
"You, think too hard." the emperor says quietly without ever looking at me. He has busied himself with sweeping the fireplace. He can't see me but I smile.

Get thee Hence, Backward Sociological Thinking

There is something on my mind that I don't even know how to touch. The emperor knows but he tells me that it is my journey. I must learn it for myself. Yet knowing that does not make the task any easier. Even though what ails me is so basic and simple, there must needs be a complex answer. At least that is the way I trained myself to think brought to me in part via the world. This is where the emperor nods a knowing smile.
I have't had much to smile about. It all comes down to the fact I just don't know what my purpose is. As I am writing this, I still dont know.

I walked to the mailbox the other day. It was wonderfully cloudy out.As I approached the mailbox, Rain started pouring down. It was glorious. I walked back to my house in the pouring rain. I laughed as opened the door at the mere thought of how soaked I was. I felt alive.

Free will and a clearing in the forest

Tea with the Emperor is as interesting as it sounds. He brings in the tea around 2. Yes, he brings the tea. He pours two cup of chamomile tea. He hands one to to me and then picks up his and takes a seat on front of me. We never speak during the first cup. We enjoy. We savor the tea in silence. We think.
As he pours the second round, I ask him, "What do you think of women's rights?"
He continues pouring the tea without looking up. He hands me my cup. H e reaches for his own and sits back and looks at me somberly.
"There are no rights, what we have are gifts. By the look on your face, I see you do not understand. Life is given to us. We have no right to it. The only right we can truly call our own is our own free will. There are many injustices in this world that plague women, men, and children. Choice is the srtongest weapon we have in the matter of these injustices. I f I told you that I am for womens' rights, I have accomplished nothing. I have not affected the world in anyway. But if I choose to help the downtrodden, weary, the hungry and the poor, even in the smallest measure, I have made a clearing in the forest."
He sat back in his chair with his tea in hand. We both sipped quietly pondering his words.

(I look at what I've written and I wonder if anyone will understand what it means. The word rights is one that has always bothered me. It has always seemed to be followed by a demand. It has such a harsh tone to it. I prefer the word choice or free will. It sounds so much gentler and noble. It touches my spirit kindly. I suppose what I really want to convey is that we have been given can taken away, whether it be our 'rights" or our lives. The only thing we are left with is our free will. The most powerful tool in the universe. Our choices can free us. All we have to do is act on that choice.

Questions

I suppose the question on everyone's mind is who is the emperor and what has begun?
Very valid questions. I am not exactly sure myself. There is, however, a reason this all came to be. It all started with just a few words. That is how everything starts. Well, at least it seems that way. Everything actually starts with a thought, followed by words or actions or in some cases neither.