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Sonali Bendre Instagram
Caption : In the words of my favourite author Isabel Allende, “We don’t even know how strong we are until we are forced to bring that hidden strength forward. In times of tragedy, of war, of necessity, people do amazing things. The human capacity for survival and renewal is awesome.” The outpouring of love I’ve received in the last few days has been so overwhelming… and I’m especially grateful to those of you who shared stories of your experiences in dealing with cancer, whether it was your own or of loved ones. Your stories have given me an extra dosage of strength and courage, and more importantly, the knowledge that I’m not alone. Each day comes with its own challenges and victories and so for now, I’m taking this #OneDayAtATime. The only thing I’m trying to be consistent about is maintaining a positive outlook… literally #SwitchOnTheSunshine – it’s my way of dealing with this. Sharing my journey is also part of this process… I can only hope it reminds you that all is not lost and that someone, somewhere understands what you’re going through. 🤞🌞 Thank you @tomoarakawa for making this a chic transition from long to short!
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Caption : “I knew that if I allowed fear to overtake me, my journey was doomed. Fear, to a great extent, is born of a story we tell ourselves, and so I chose to tell myself a different story from the one women are told. I decided I was safe. I was strong. I was brave. Nothing could vanquish me.” – Cheryl Strayed, Wild. Over the past couple of months, I have had good days and bad ones. There have been days when I’ve been so exhausted and in so much pain that even lifting a finger hurt. I feel like sometimes it’s a cycle… one that starts off with physical pain and leads to mental and emotional pain. The bad days have been many… Post chemo, post-surgery and the like… where even just laughing hurts. Sometimes it felt like it took everything I’ve had to push past it… a minute to minute battle with myself. I got through it knowing that even though I was fighting a long drawn out, draining battle… it was one that was worth the fight. It’s important to remember that we’re allowed to have those bad days. Forcing yourself to be happy and cheerful all the time serves no purpose. Who are we being fake and putting on an act for? I allowed myself to cry, to feel the pain, to indulge in self-pity… for a short while. Only you know what you’re going through and it is fine to accept it. Emotions aren’t wrong. Feeling negative emotions isn’t wrong. But after a point, identify it, recognize it and refuse to let it control your life. It takes an immense amount of self-care to get out of that zone. Sleep always helps, or having my favourite smoothie after chemo, or just talking to my son. For now, as my treatment continues… my visual focus remains to just get better and get back home. It’s yet another test… Student all my life… Learning all my life… #OneDayAtATime 📷: @srishtibehlarya
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Caption : Sometimes, when you least expect it, life throws you a curveball. I have recently been diagnosed with a high grade cancer that has metastised, which we frankly did not see coming. A niggling pain led to some tests, which led to this unexpected diagnosis. My family and close friends have rallied around me, providing the best support system that anyone can ask for. I am very blessed and thankful for each of them. There is no better way to tackle this, than to take swift and immediate action. And so, as advised by my doctors, I am currently undergoing a course of treatment in New York. We remain optimistic and I am determined to fight every step of the way. What has helped has been the immense outpouring of love and support I’ve received over the past few days, for which I am very grateful. I’m taking this battle head on, knowing I have the strength of my family and friends behind me.
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Caption : From the moment he was born 12 years, 11 months and 8 days ago, my amazing @rockbehl took ownership of my heart. From then on, his happiness and wellbeing have been the centre of anything @goldiebehl and I ever did. And so, when the Big C reared its ugly head, our biggest dilemma was what and how we were going to tell him. As much as we wanted to protect him, we knew it was important to tell him the full facts. We’ve always been open and honest with him and this time it wasn’t going to be different. He took the news so maturely… and instantly became a source of strength and positivity for me. In some situations now, he even reverses roles and takes on being the parent, reminding me of things I need to do! I believe that it’s imperative to keep kids involved in a situation like this. They are a lot more resilient than we give them credit for. It’s important to spend time with them and include them, rather than make them wait on the side-lines, not being told yet instinctively knowing everything. In our effort to protect them from the pain and realities of life, we might end up doing the opposite. I’m spending time with Ranveer right now, while he’s on summer vacation. His madness and shenanigans help me #SwitchOnTheSunshine. And today, we derive strength from each other #OneDayAtATime
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Caption : How time flies… today when I look back, I see strength, I see weakness but most importantly I see the will to not let the C word define how my life will be after it… You create the life you choose. The journey is what you make of it… so remember to take #OneDayAtATime and to #SwitchOnTheSunshine 🌈☀️♥️ #CancerSurvivorsDay
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Caption : This is me. And in this moment, I am really happy. People give me strange looks when I say that now, but it’s true and I’ll tell you why. I am now paying attention to every moment, looking for every opportunity to find joy and #SwitchOnTheSunshine. Yes, there are moments of pain and low energy, but I am doing what I like, spending time with people I love, and feeling very loved and happy. I am extremely grateful to my friends, my pillars of strength, who at a moment’s notice, arrived to be with me and help me through this. In between their busy schedules they find time to visit, call, message, FaceTime… basically never leaving a moment for me to feel alone. Thank you for showing me what true friendship is. #HappyFriendshipDay, ladies. Blessed to have you all in my life (including the ones not in the picture… You know who you are) @gayatrioberoi @suzkr P.S. Nowadays I spend far less time getting ready because I don’t have to fuss over my hair! 😜#BaldIsBeautiful #FindThePositive #OneDayAtATime Picture credit: @hrithikroshan
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Caption : Today is #ReadABookDay and what better way to celebrate it than by announcing the next book for #SBC! This one is a historical fiction set in Russia called “A Gentleman in Moscow” by @amortowles. The premise sounds pretty interesting, and I can’t wait to start reading it! #SonalisBookClub
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Caption : Smiley… grumpy… the many moods of greeting at the Behl’s household! 😄😠 #LilMissIcy
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Caption : Another day, another cup, and a lot of comfort. 🥰☕
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Caption : Another day, another cup, and a lot of comfort. 🥰☕
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Caption : Another day, another cup, and a lot of comfort. 🥰☕
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Sonali Bendre Instagram
Caption : Another day, another cup, and a lot of comfort. 🥰☕
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Caption : Another day, another cup, and a lot of comfort. 🥰☕
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Caption : Throwback to my last blow-dry before I cut my hair. Now that my hair is gradually growing back…. Maybe I can look forward to another blow-dry in 2019! This journey has been immense, and has taught me so so much…. From being in awe of the body’s willingness and capacity to fight and heal and recover to overwhelming gratitude to the people who have stood by me and been pillars of strength to being reminded of life’s transience and that things come and go (much like my hair). Here’s looking towards a healthier and happier 2019. Onwards and upwards… #SwitchOnTheSunshine #OneDayAtATime
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Caption : Diwali in New York happens much later than in Mumbai… Hence the late wish! It was quite an unconventional one… We didn’t have Indian clothes, we had a small puja… But it was all heart. Happy Diwali everyone! May this year bring you good health, wealth and prosperity… Hope you celebrated this festival with your family and friends, and hope you cherish every moment of happiness with them!
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Caption : As soon I began to write this… I knew instantly that I wouldn’t be able to put down in words all the emotions and thoughts that were running through my head. Husband. Companion. Best friend. My rock. For me, that’s @goldiebehl. Marriage is standing by each other, through thick and thin, in sickness and in health… and god knows, how we’ve been through that this year. What not many people realize is that cancer is not just an individual battle… it’s something that a family collectively goes through. I was also able to go on this journey, knowing that you’d juggle all your responsibilities, and take on some more and hold fort back home… all this while shuttling between two continents. Thank you for being my source of strength, love and joy, for being with me every single step of the way… thank you is such an understatement for how I feel. What do I say about someone who is a part of you, who is yours and nothing and nobody else matters? Happy anniversary Goldie! ♥🤗
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Caption : Heartbroken and at a loss for words… #RIP Chintu uncle. So many thoughts and emotions running through me right now. Remembering our time in New York as we battled together, fighting an unseen monster. Keeping each other bouyant through the sadness and pain. We held each other up through it all, forever connected. My thoughts, prayers and love go out to Neetu aunty, Riddhima, Ranbir, the family and your legions of fans. You will always be remembered for your talent, your passion and your zest for life. @neetu54, #RanbirKapoor @riddhimakapoorsahniofficial #RishiKapoor
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Caption : Bappa. Modak. And my Icy ♥️ गणपति बाप्पा मोरया 🙏🏼
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Caption : Bappa. Modak. And my Icy ♥️ गणपति बाप्पा मोरया 🙏🏼
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Caption : Bappa. Modak. And my Icy ♥️ गणपति बाप्पा मोरया 🙏🏼
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Caption : Bappa. Modak. And my Icy ♥️ गणपति बाप्पा मोरया 🙏🏼
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Caption : Some things age better… I’m talking about my jacket here 😜 I wore this beautiful jacket from @rohitbalofficial at least 2 decades ago and I’m so glad I could wear it again! #Vintage #reuse #reuserevolution #upcycledclothing #oldisgold
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Caption : This year more than ever, with the arrival of Bappa, I hope for new beginnings for everyone! I’m going to miss all the visits from friends & family at home for Bappa’s Darshan. But, I know we’ll find a way to adapt to the current situation yet still retain the true essence of Ganesh Chaturthi. #HappyGaneshChaturthi गणेश चतुर्थी च्या हार्दिक शुभेच्छा गणपती बाप्पा मोरया 🙌🏼
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Caption : तिळगुळ घ्या गोड गोड बोला 💚 Happy Makar Sankranti 🥰
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Caption : तिळगुळ घ्या गोड गोड बोला 💚 Happy Makar Sankranti 🥰
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Caption : तिळगुळ घ्या गोड गोड बोला 💚 Happy Makar Sankranti 🥰
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Caption : Time to announce the next book! The last one took a while, as my eyesight was doing strange things due to the chemo and I couldn’t read for a while. Was panicking a bit, but now all is well again! Whew! The next book for SBC is set in the city I’m currently in, New York… it’s called A Little Life by @hanyayanagihara. It’s been nominated for so many literary awards and is a story of friendship and ambition. We’ve read books with female friendships before, but this is our first one on friendship among boys… Should be interesting. Can’t wait to start reading it, and I hope you read it with me too. #SBCBookDiscussion #SBC #SonalisBookClub
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Caption : The mood while welcoming Bappa home is more meditative this year but it’s always a special feeling 🙏🏼 सर्वांना गणेश चतुर्थीच्या हार्दिक शुभेच्छा
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Caption : Happy days ♥️ गणपती बाप्पा मोरया 📸 : @srishtibehlarya
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Caption : Happy days ♥️ गणपती बाप्पा मोरया 📸 : @srishtibehlarya
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Caption : Happy days ♥️ गणपती बाप्पा मोरया 📸 : @srishtibehlarya
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Caption : Happy days ♥️ गणपती बाप्पा मोरया 📸 : @srishtibehlarya
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Caption : Happy days ♥️ गणपती बाप्पा मोरया 📸 : @srishtibehlarya
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Caption : Happy days ♥️ गणपती बाप्पा मोरया 📸 : @srishtibehlarya
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Caption : Happy days ♥️ गणपती बाप्पा मोरया 📸 : @srishtibehlarya
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Caption : Happy days ♥️ गणपती बाप्पा मोरया 📸 : @srishtibehlarya
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Caption : “An older sister is a friend and defender – a listener, conspirator, a counselor and a sharer of delights. And sorrows too. – Pam Brown” Rupa Tai has been all this and more. She dropped everything in a heartbeat to be with me on this journey. She has been my rock…my person… Rupa Tai was involved in my journey from when I was diagnosed to the time I was deciding the course of treatment to packing her bags and coming with me to New York. She was there from get-go. Her transition from one role to another was seamless. A dictator when I needed to eat right or take my meds or an empathetic counselor alternating between giving advice and offering silent support when all I needed was to be alone with my thoughts. She was around. She was with me and by me, at all times. Sisters share a special relationship. We are literally an extension of each other. For bad days, her presence did the trick and the good days…well, it just got better! We have now returned home – to our respective families and lives, but us together in New York for those 6 months…I am forever indebted… #SwitchOnTheSunshine #OneDayAtATime @ranadiverupa
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Caption : It’s always lovely to be part of someone’s special moment and more so when it’s a dear friend. What a fabulous evening @priyankachopra!!! Your bridal shower was filled with so much love and laughter. I wish all that and more for you as you take this next big step. Big hug and much love. P.S. it felt so great and also somewhat strange to wear a bright colour again! #RedIsTheColourOfRebirth
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Caption : Been a while since I got out of my track-pants😄 Outfit: @abujanisandeepkhosla Shoes: Abu-Sandeep X @needledust
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Caption : Ganesh Chaturthi is one of my favourite festivals and I really missed celebrating it at home last year… Was part of the Aarti via FaceTime! I’m so glad to be back this year, healthier and stronger, celebrating with my family. I truly believe if there’s faith, it reflects more on the inside…in the dialogue between you and your God… so don’t lose that essence. Once again, we’ve taken the route of bringing an eco-friendly Ganesha & we’ll also immerse the Lord in our home 🙏🏻 May this Ganesh Chaturthi bring health, happiness and new beginnings to everyone, and may we all have the strength to overcome the obstacles that come our way. सर्वांना गणेश चतुर्थीच्या शुभेच्छा. 😄 गणपती बाप्पा मोरया
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