So, I saw this flyer a while back:

I submitted an essay and hoped for the best.

Well, the best happened! My essay won the contest. Here I am holding my almost comically over-sized trophy:

You can read the essay I submitted below:

 

Two Voices

by

Edward Cody Huddleston

There is a voice inside of you that whispers all day long, ‘I feel that this is right for me, I know that this is wrong.’ -Shel Silverstein

We each have two voices in our heads. One of them preaches mercy, kindness, and benevolence. The other preaches malice, cruelty, and bitterness.

Life is nothing if not a struggle between these two voices, a tug-o-war for our souls that lasts as long as we live. Examples of this exist everywhere.

My favorite TV show is Dexter. It tells the story of a serial killer who only kills other serial killers. Every day for Dexter is an inner battle between his conflicting desires, his desire to kill, and his desire to live a decent, productive life. His evil voice tells him to kill innocent people. But he fights it.

I recently watched a documentary about a support group for non-offending pedophiles. Their evil voice tells them to destroy the innocence of children. But they fight it.

Likewise, you may have days when your evil voice seems irresistible, a powerful James Earl Jones against the puny Gilbert Gottfried of your good voice, but you’ll fight it. You’ll choose the good voice and, thanks to you, your spouse’s head, and the 9 iron you’ll want to smash it with, will stay intact.

Because deep down, we all want to be closer to each other. Many of our latest and greatest technological marvels, such as smartphones and the internet, exist for that very reason. We live in a new, exciting age where, if someone speaks loudly and boldly enough, their voice can reach millions. Let that voice be yours, and let it be the voice of reason. Let what you tell the world echo what your conscience tells you, because a culture without a conscience can’t survive.

When we speak from the conscience, our voices become a powerful chorus. That’s why it’s called living in harmony.