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Nan Kuhlman

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October 14, 2025
Nan Kuhlman
When Rain Doesn’t Spoil the Day

My worst “fear” about our expensive trip came true, but it turned out to be my favorite part. How did that happen?

 When Rain Doesn’t Spoil the Day
September 30, 2025
Nan Kuhlman
Worry and the Unlocked Car

My typical reaction would be to fret and worry about someone stealing the car or at the very least, taking the ancient iPad and extra snacks we left in there. But in the true spirit of a bucket list trip, I decided I was not going to think about the unlocked car until we returned on Sunday.

Worry and the Unlocked Car
July 29, 2025
Nan Kuhlman
Do You Like Cucumbers?

When things seem chaotic, it helps to think small, and having the conundrum of too many cucumbers gave me a little problem that kindness and generosity easily solved.

Do You Like Cucumbers?
June 10, 2025
Nan Kuhlman
It's Still Here

This Bur Oak tree will keep on producing oxygen, taking in our carbon dioxide, and providing acorns and shelter to local squirrels and wildlife. It is a life giver, not a life taker.

It's Still Here
May 27, 2025
Nan Kuhlman
Look Up

The impermanence of clouds can give us perspective about the world and its troubles. I can’t stay focused on the hate, corruption, and cruelty without being consumed by it, wrung out and hopeless.

Look Up
Nan Kuhlman
February 8, 2022

Remember, You're Small

Nan Kuhlman
February 8, 2022
Remember, You're Small

There’s a certain comfort in being small. It means I’m not in control nor expected to be in control.

Tagged: impermanence, control

Nan Kuhlman
January 25, 2022

Keep Going

Nan Kuhlman
January 25, 2022
Keep Going

Once you’re on a good path, all you have to do is keep going.

Nan Kuhlman
January 11, 2022

The Map You Follow

Nan Kuhlman
January 11, 2022
The Map You Follow

If the map you’re following contains wrong information, you won’t get where you want to go. You might even end up someplace that’s a little scary.

Tagged: maps, narratives, stories we tell ourselves

Nan Kuhlman
December 28, 2021

Halfway to Happiness!

Nan Kuhlman
December 28, 2021
Halfway to Happiness!

When I focus on happiness as a destination, I miss what is right here and now.

Tagged: happiness

Nan Kuhlman
December 14, 2021

Make a Wish

Nan Kuhlman
December 14, 2021
Make a Wish

This idea of making wishes, whether we’re six years old or adults, has more to do with wanting to control reality than any specific need we might have. Trying to control reality, however, is a losing game.

Tagged: wishes, reality, breathe

Nan Kuhlman
November 23, 2021

What Key Limes Can Teach Us About Thanksgiving

Nan Kuhlman
November 23, 2021
What Key Limes Can Teach Us About Thanksgiving

Your gratitude is seeking expression in some form of generosity so that more gratitude can be generated.

Tagged: gratitude, generosity

Nan Kuhlman
November 9, 2021

Don't Look

Nan Kuhlman
November 9, 2021
Don't Look

Too often we think that everything relies on us doing, doing, doing.

Tagged: trust, yoga

Nan Kuhlman
October 19, 2021

Time is the Master

Nan Kuhlman
October 19, 2021
Time is the Master

This same thought can be comforting if we consider that the passage of time gives us a much broader perspective about life events than we have when we’re in the midst of them.

Tagged: perspective, resilience

Nan Kuhlman
October 5, 2021

The Power of Presence

Nan Kuhlman
October 5, 2021
The Power of Presence

I told her nothing of importance, but everything I said was important. It helped her know she was not alone, just like my mom helped me all those years before.

Tagged: presence, comfort

Nan Kuhlman
September 21, 2021

Is Familiar Better?

Nan Kuhlman
September 21, 2021
Is Familiar Better?

By taking a different route, we open our perspective to new experiences, witness other viewpoints, and learn how resilient we really are.

Tagged: choices

Nan Kuhlman
September 7, 2021

Life's Uphills and Downhills

Nan Kuhlman
September 7, 2021
Life's Uphills and Downhills

Everything is easier going downhill, but to have a downhill, you have to have an uphill.

Tagged: resilience, downhill

Nan Kuhlman
August 17, 2021

When We’re Confronted by our Shadow

Nan Kuhlman
August 17, 2021
When We’re Confronted by our Shadow

Being confronted by your shadow isn’t pleasant. It’s holding up a mirror to you and showing you who you are, not who you think you are.

Tagged: shadow, humility

Nan Kuhlman
August 3, 2021

Lookism and the Tattoo Shop

Nan Kuhlman
August 3, 2021
Lookism and the Tattoo Shop

Knowing our built-in biases and interacting with openness and curiosity is a start toward changing a culture.

Tagged: lookism, cultural change, hidden biases

Nan Kuhlman
July 20, 2021

For the 1980 Riverdale Falcons

Nan Kuhlman
July 20, 2021
For the 1980 Riverdale Falcons

Being able to remember “all the other ages you’ve been” with the grace of those who may have witnessed us at our immature worst gives us a chance to reclaim those memories with compassion for our younger selves.

Tagged: high school reunions, growing up

Nan Kuhlman
July 6, 2021

Real Independence

Nan Kuhlman
July 6, 2021
Real Independence

We understand that we live in a world where “beautiful and terrible things will happen.” Our real freedom lies in being able to choose our response, not our circumstances.

Tagged: independence, freedom, choice

Nan Kuhlman
June 22, 2021

Hell Yeah!

Nan Kuhlman
June 22, 2021
Hell Yeah!

I’m working to figure out what I want to do and what I don’t. This means I have to listen to myself, which entails getting still enough to pay attention to what my gut is saying.

Tagged: decision-making

Nan Kuhlman
June 8, 2021

You Can Make It!

Nan Kuhlman
June 8, 2021
You Can Make It!

You never know where your next encouragement to keep going might be found, even on a dirty furnace filter.

Tagged: hope, resilience

Nan Kuhlman
May 25, 2021

Seeing What's Already There

Nan Kuhlman
May 25, 2021
Seeing What's Already There

The fish are always there; those fishing just have a hard time seeing them.

Tagged: fishing, perspective

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Nan Kuhlman
May 11, 2021

Marriage Advice at the Laundromat

Nan Kuhlman
May 11, 2021
Marriage Advice at the Laundromat

He had never been to a wedding. So he had to ask an older woman in a laundromat about the topic. She must have looked like she had experienced life and could be counted on to tell the truth as she saw it.

Tagged: marriage, commitment

Comment
Nan Kuhlman
April 20, 2021

I'm Sorry, Barry Manilow...

Nan Kuhlman
April 20, 2021
I'm Sorry, Barry Manilow...

We think that our high school friends are the same people or that the spouse we married thirty years ago is the same person. But the fact is, we are changing.

Tagged: Barry Manilow, change

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