Lee
“It’s up to you to find your own happiness, whatever comes your way simply adds to it.”
Lee lights up the room when she walks in. She has a vibrant energy and a kind smile. She is always caring and encouraging, and though her life hasn’t always been easy - she doesn’t give up. Meet Lee. This his her story.
P: Please introduce yourself!
L: My name is Lee Graham Pinnell.
P: Describe or define yourself in your own words.
L: Strong, Independent, kind, caring and nurturing.
P: What is your favourite thing about yourself?
L: My sense of humour (my 2 sisters being my number one fans - sometimes even my daughter is haha!), my creativity to make something from nothing, my determination in life - never giving up, and my compassion for others.
P: Tell us a story. Have you an experience that has defined you or made you stronger?
L: Growing up in a large family came with its own challenges, each of us trying to find where we fit in. I discovered from an early age, with the help of positive influences in my life, that I was going to make it. From that point on I had a focus.
I went into working with children, eventually discovering this wasn’t for me. I did a reset and moved to England and got to experience so much. Lots of good and some not so good. I eventually met a man who would later become my husband and the father to our children. We moved to Australia where we had our 2 children and a very lonely and isolating marriage. Again good times and some not so good.
Eventually our marriage ended and I then needed to re-focus and become even stronger, as I had now become not just one but we had become three. I took it day by day for our children. Some dark moments yet those moments helped me even more.
We eventually moved back to NZ where our life as 3 began again. I then discovered how much I loved myself and found myself again. She’s always been there yet had some time off from life. I became so much stronger and an even better mother to my growing children. I’m now living and so much more motivated. Being happy was all I ever wanted. Each day comes with its own challenges, but I focus on the good rather than the bad a lot more now.
Lee and her two kids
P: What is one piece of advice you’d give to your younger self?
L: Don’t sweat the small things. There’s a lifetime ahead, this is one chapter of many that will help towards becoming a good adult.
Enjoy being young, don’t try and grow up too fast. As I tell my children “you get to be a child/teen for such a short time before you become an adult for the rest of your life. Enjoy it, make good choices”. Don’t rely on others to create your happiness, you are in control of your own life and it’s up to you to find your own happiness, whatever comes your way simply adds to it.
P: What does being a woman mean to you?
L: Being a women to me means being strong, kind, compassionate, focused. Having an understanding of others and myself. It means striving towards my future and the future of my children. Keeping a clear head and a good mindset to do the best I can in life.
It also means always learning about myself and others, knowing it’s okay to be vulnerable towards the ones I love without feeling weak.
P: What does being a woman mean to you?
L: My Aunty Nancy who has now passed. She taught me from an early age that I can do I want in this life, that there was a lot more to this world and it was up to me to go out and find it.