The Simple Joys of Life

Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. —Nehemiah 8:10

I’ve never lost reverence for small, calm moments in life. Years later, I still cherish this deeply. “When the going gets tough, the tough get going” is a mantra I live by—but I’ve learned toughness can be soft, too. Even now, a childlike spirit shapes how I see the world. That lightness, playfulness, and joy give me refuge and spark imagination. Without them, life feels heavier.

These simple pleasures have colored my life from an early age. I’ve loved feeding ducks since childhood, when my parents would take their brood of six to the Boston Public Garden after church to ride the Swan Boats. This beloved, family-owned attraction—where a driver pedals a swan-shaped boat around the lagoon—has been a city tradition since 1877. It’s a gentle, affordable experience that has delighted generations and earned its place in literary history through Make Way for Ducklings.

Those days remain some of my happiest memories and began my lifelong affection for feeding ducks. It brings me joy, calms my spirit, and restores me.

My affection for these moments became a source of grounding throughout my life, especially during times of change. In my mid-twenties, between jobs and uncertain about my next chapter, I moved home to Duxbury, Massachusetts. I paid rent for my childhood bedroom—my dad called it “Condo A” (my sister had “Condo B”)—and was expected to job hunt daily. After years of juggling jobs through school, I needed a breather.

Each morning, I’d dress in interview-ready clothes, briefcase in hand, and tell my father I’d be back in a few hours. Weeks went by. He grew suspicious. One day, he asked what was in my briefcase. My answers were vague. Finally, curiosity got the better of him. He opened it.

Inside was a lone loaf of bread.

He stared, then burst out laughing. “So that’s where all the bread’s gone!” I admitted that between job applications and interviews, I had been spending time feeding the ducks in Plymouth, about a fifteen-minute drive away. To my surprise, he smiled. “Let me get my coat—I’ll go with you.” He loved feeding the ducks, too, as his father had. We spent the day together, and it remains one of my most treasured memories.

Stories like these remind me how inspiration can be found in unexpected places, whether with family or featured friends. In this issue, we celebrate inspiration in every form. Our cover girl, Dr. Lindsey Hoppe—founder and owner of 30A Smiles located in 30Avenue—embodies faith, strength, and fortitude. Her journey is powerfully captured in Caitlyn Burrus’s moving feature, “Choosing Hope: A Doctor Becomes a Patient.” You can also hear Dr. Hoppe’s story in her candid conversation with me in Episode 91 of our podcast, VIE Speaks.

We are living in a time filled with serious challenges. Still, I hold tightly to faith—believing we can move toward greater unity, compassion, and love. Holding on to joy with childlike belief may seem naive, but I believe it’s essential. Levity, wonder, and gratitude are not indulgences; they serve as lifelines.

I hope you enjoy this issue and wish you a year filled with inspiration.

To Life!

—Lisa Marie Burwell

CEO | Editor-in-Chief | Creative Director

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