Dear Anita,
I agree, it is definitely difficult to apply what we learn in times of challenge. But I try to tell myself I AM already applying it just by recognizing my patterns and by thinking about applying it etc – if that makese sense.
I try to do a sitting meditation every evening, but I have been on business trips etc and have just been so busy that I do find excuses to not do it all the time…

In the meantime, my dad had finally an apointment to talk with the surgeon who was supposed to do the sugery that he cancelled because no one told him what exactly they wanted to do and why. A surgery is unavoidable at this point and the surgeon was encouraging, telling him it is one of his most common procedures and he will get life quality back.
He still has an apointment for a second opinion, but I think there won’t be a much different outcome.
For some strange reason, I am feeling better now. Although I had hope that they would say he only needs a tiny surgery and no fusion, I still feel not as anxious anymore. And feel somehwat optimistic that he will be so much better after surgery.

I don’t know how the change iny my feeling towards all of this came..but I’ ll take it.
My dad is still calm and positive as always.
I also tell myself that – while this is nothing that we should be happy about – this is not a total crisis situation. There are so many more medical problems affecting people and it isn’t anything out of the “ordinary”.

That’s a bit of rambling from me 😉