Happy Birthday Sonali Bendre: A look at her empowering messages

Bollywood actress Sonali Bendre who hosted a New Year bash at her residence in Mumbai on Monday night, is on a break from her treatment of cancer.

Sonali has been an inspiration for many as she is in a difficult phase of her life and has always been a source of hope to others. Since the news about her ‘high-grade’ cancer was announced, the actress has been writing empowering messages.

And today, the first day of 2019, she is ringing her 44th birthday. On this auspicious day of her’s, let’s have a look at the messages she wrote wherein she expressed her love and care for family and friends.

It all started when Hum Sath Sath Hai actress Sonali announced her ‘high grade’ cancer news on July 4, 2018. She wrote, “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.”

 

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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.

A post shared by Sonali Bendre (@iamsonalibendre) on Jul 3, 2018 at 11:46pm PDT

On July 10, the Sarfarosh actress, shared a new look with short hair as she prepared herself to take cancer head-on. She went on to reveal that she was willing to share her journey with her fans. She wrote, “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.”

 

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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!

A post shared by Sonali Bendre (@iamsonalibendre) on Jul 10, 2018 at 12:20am PDT

Followed by, on July 19, she wrote a heartfelt message for her son Ranveer in which Bendre went on to reveal why it was important to share the news with the kids. She wrote, “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.”

 

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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

A post shared by Sonali Bendre (@iamsonalibendre) on Jul 18, 2018 at 11:29pm PDT

Here are Sonali’s empowering messages.

 

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“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

A post shared by Sonali Bendre (@iamsonalibendre) on Oct 8, 2018 at 11:19pm PDT

 

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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

A post shared by Sonali Bendre (@iamsonalibendre) on Nov 1, 2018 at 7:34am PDT

 

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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! ♥🤗

A post shared by Sonali Bendre (@iamsonalibendre) on Nov 12, 2018 at 6:23am PST

 

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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

A post shared by Sonali Bendre (@iamsonalibendre) on Dec 31, 2018 at 12:31am PST

In the middle of her medical treatment, the actress visited Bollywood actor Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh who were in New York. Sonali shared her new look and thanked actor Priyanka Chopra for introducing her to a stylist who gave her the makeover. Because of her chemotherapy, Sonali went bald but she has now decided to sport a wig when she feels like it.

Husband Goldie Behl hosted a New Year party where Hrithik Roshan, Sussanne Khan, Naina Bachchan, Kunal Kapoor and others were seen.