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
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!
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! ♥🤗
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
“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
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
They say “Distance makes the heart grow fonder”. It sure does. But let’s never underestimate what distance teaches you. Being away from home in the city of New York, I realized I was walking amongst so many stories. Each trying to write their own chapter in different ways. Each struggling to do it but never giving up. Each taking it #OneDayAtATime.
And now I’m on my way back to where my heart is. It’s a feeling I can’t describe in words but I’m going to try – it’s the joy to see my family and friends again, the excitement to do what I love and mainly the gratitude for the journey I’ve had up until this moment.
The fight is not yet over…but I’m happy and looking forward to this happy interval 🙂 It’s time to learn that there is a new normal out there and I can’t wait to embrace it and #SwitchOnTheSunshine.
#NowPlaying #AdventureOfALifeTime🎵
And as my adventure with life continues these words by Chris Martin hit home, “Everything you want is a dream away. Under this pressure, under this weight
We are diamonds taking shape…”
😍❤️
~
#Repost @goldiebehl 👫❤️ #FlashbackFriday
World Cancer Day… who would have thought it would become such a thing… but it has! And just the mere mention of the C word brings dread in the hearts of anyone who hears it. We fear it so much that we’d rather not talk about it… which is why it’s important to have a day where we pull out the band aid and help us deal with this disease. I was scared too, but soon realised that burying my head in the sand was not the way to deal with this.
And so… with the little experience I have had, I urge you all to take the time to understand it. There’s more to cancer than being emotional or weak or even being called a fighter or a survivor. It requires you to study it, find out what works for you and to be diligent about your treatment. It requires days of strongly believing in oneself, of knowing that tomorrow will be better than today. It is not a fight against negative thoughts. It’s taking a stand to not give in, no matter what. Most importantly, it is about living every day, and not just surviving. Just taking it #OneDayAtATime makes it easier to #SwitchOnTheSunshine.
#WorldCancerDay
The first book of 2019 on #SonalisBookClub is going to be @divakarunichitra’s latest book, “The Forest Of Enchantments”. I’ve read some of her works previously and I’ve been very intrigued with her stories. Now, I’m really excited about her new book and I can’t wait to read it with you all!
#SBCBookDiscussion
“I’m gonna soak up the sun
I’m gonna tell everyone
To lighten up
I’ve got no one to blame
For every time I feel lame
I’m looking up
I’m gonna soak up the sun”
~ Sheryl Crow
As we come close to the end of another year, it’s amazing to see how much this book club has grown and how I can see tangible effects. After my son hosted his first SBC Live, he’s become more enthusiastic about reading, so much so that he has now recommended a book for us! So the next book for #SBC is Half Brother by @kenneth.oppel. I’m really excited as it’s the first mom-son collaboration on the book club, and I’m looking forward to exploring this book with you all! #TheFamilyThatReadsTogether #SonalisBookClub @sonalisbookclub
Somethings are better left unsaid on social, somethings are better left said in person. Love you loads.
Happy birthday, @goldiebehl.
Being back on a set after a major sabbatical – one that has been testing in many ways on so many levels – is a surreal feeling. After all this, I sort of feel an additional sense of purpose and meaning and I’m so grateful to be back in action. I don’t think words would do justice to how beautiful it feels to be back at work…to face the camera again and portray the range of emotions required. Given that my emotions have been running high for the last couple of months, it feels good to give into the emotions that the job requires. It’s just the kind of day that helps me #SwitchOnTheSunshine #OneDayAtATime❤
Sometimes, you strike a chord with someone and that bond simply stays for life. @mickeycontractor is just that person for me. We go back a looooong way. The depth and breadth of his knowledge is overwhelming and intriguing at the same time! A man with killer wit and someone who calls a spade a spade. So when we met for a shoot recently, we just picked up from where we had left off… reliving all those memories. One thing hasn’t changed… even after all these years, I completely trust his genius. From doing my eyebrows for the VERY first time, to giving me my first quick haircut now that my hair is growing back, I’m glad we’ve not run out of firsts. I love you, Mickey! It’s friends like you who make the journey so beautiful.
#FriendsLikeFamily
I’ve always believed, when you love what you do – the sky is the limit! My baby sister, @gandhaliparanjape and her husband @jats72 have combined their love for sports and his experience as a sportsman for over 30 years to weave their best story yet. Their sportswear brand @321sportswear has just launched the ‘After-Play & Go Pro’ Collection for young athletes and it is so comfortable! As Gandhali was telling me the other day, from designing to the final making, all of it happens right here in India. I’m sold on this, and so is Ranveer… (He has already made a list of what he wants😁)
Can’t wait for you all to try it out! Head to the link in the bio to show some love guys!
#321Sportswear #MakeInIndia #YoungAthletes
Thank you @rockbehl for recommending Half Brother by @kenneth.oppel and for discussing this with me for #SBC. Thoroughly enjoyed our conversation and I hope our readers did too! Looking forward to growing with you as we continue to read many more books together. 🤗 (link in bio for the full discussion)
Seems like we have a recurring theme on @sonalisbookclub! To continue with stories where people have faced challenges of varying degrees, our next book is a little novella that influenced me tremendously. It made me think and wonder and feel very very deeply. Sometimes a little unknown book does all the magic! The next book for #SBC is ‘Jet Lag’ by Ann Birstein. Since it’s a short one, we’ll have the discussion at the end of this month. See you then!
#SBCBookDiscussion
Sunday brunching with the chefs @rockbehl and @vihaan.oberoikicks hard at work! What a sight it was to see the kids create something so amazing with such focus…the result was delizioso👌🏼
Our first on ground activity for #SBCLilOnes! Thank you @sakpataudi for being so effortlessly articulate (as always). Thank you @neehagupta2002 for giving us an insight into your book #Different. And thank you @rockbehl for doing this Live for me and #SBC… you’ve always been around behind the scenes for SBC, it’s nice to see you on camera for it! So proud of you! 🤗 #SonalisBookClub Title Waves – Mumbai’s first large format boutique bookstore.
YOU DID IT! Congratulations to Team @haryanahammers on winning the #ProWrestlingLeague championship🏆! I’m so SO proud, @goldiebehl!
Couldn’t be with you guys this year, but sending all the love from last year… and then some more! Big hug!
There is no psychiatrist in the world like a dog licking your face… And when the 30kg mammal tries to sit on your lap, it’s really hard to feel sad… Happy happy birthday my healer, my angel, my darling Icy! #LittleMissIcy
Also wishing everyone a very merry Christmas 😁
I’m so excited to be starting a new chapter (quite literally!) on #SonalisBookClub on this day.
www.sonalisbookclub.com is now LIVE! There’s so much I want to do in the coming year and I’m thrilled to see the first step being taken already. Would love to know your reviews on the website.
It’s 2019, time to create something new!😊
Blessed to be getting so much love and support from friends, family and well-wishers…🤗
Inspired to do more…
