The image above of our backyard shows how, at the time the photo was taken, the ice had melted where the sun shone. The remaining ice was shaded by our fence. I ask myself, as sunlight melts ice, could our own lights, our care, our values of human life, and our empathy melt I.C.E.? Could we help our neighbors who choose only to watch entertaining lies to see the truth of what’s happening?
It is disheartening to see how people with a bit of power abuse it senselessly, and those trying to stand up for their neighbors, friends, and family members get killed for peacefully standing up for human decency.
I recently learned that from 1789 to 1947, there was a Department of War in the U.S. to manage the Army. Between 1947 and 1949, it was renamed National Military Establishment to unify the War and Navy departments. In 1949, the Department of Defense replaced the Department of War and gave the Secretary of Defense control over the department. In September 2025, an executive order was signed to add a secondary name to the department of defense—the department of war. For additional information, visit here.
If the ultimate goal is to be known as someone who ended wars, wouldn’t renaming the department of defense as the Department of Peace make more sense? Wouldn’t a Department of Peace focused on mutual understanding, nonviolent communication, empathy, and valuing and protecting all human life impact the world in a more positive and caring way that uplifts the whole?
For that matter, if the acronym I.C.E. meant Immigration and Customs Enlightenment, who would sign up to work there? What would it be like to lead with empathy and care instead of with hate and guns? If there were weapons of mass construction that valued life, love, care, understanding, and uplifting humans, rather than killing the different, the “other”, wouldn’t it translate to more minds focused on uplifting one another and benefiting the whole?
As we continue to face this current reality of misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation, I find it helpful to remind myself that each of us can make a difference when we consider how our words and actions serve the highest good of all.
Please feel free to share the choices you are making to be a source of light and peace in your neighborhood and beyond.
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