QBQ!

Seeking and Giving Help — 9/11 or Today

It may not be the time of year we normally think about 9/11—not that we will ever forget—but here’s a story from that awful day I will always remember. Share if you’d like!

John G. Miller, author of these books

Asking a Lousy Question

Hours after the terrorist attacks, I was asking the whiny question, “Why do I have to do everything myself?” Looking back, I was mindlessly rearranging my garage, doing my best to not feel the pain.

I was also avoiding what sat on the back of my pickup truck: a new natural gas-powered furnace/heater for our above-ground pool—which I knew I could never lift off alone. My plan was to levitate it to the ground with sheer mind control.

Not feeling very good about anything, I was suddenly interrupted by a pleasant, “Afternoon, Sir. How ‘ya doing?”

Made My List, Checked It Twice. Your Turn!

It’s the time of year when people focus on what they have. As we all know, some blessings are HUGE and some are … small.

When I challenged myself to consider what I’m thankful for, it occurred to me to use the number of years I’ve been on this Earth.

I am 60.

So here’s my list of 60 people and/or things I’m blessed to have in my life. And, no, they are not in order of priority.

Blessings: What’s On Your List?

My wife, Karen, and I’ve never known anyone whose home burned to the ground.

Until now.

Due to the Camp Fire in northern California last Friday, some family members lost their house in what is now an oxymoron:

Paradise, California. 😥

A brand new house just built in 2017 … gone. Our photo above tells the story.

Personal Accountability Beats Rationalization and Justification

Okay, parents, ‘fess up: Did you take this Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup out of your child’s Halloween bucket? Did you take the big bite out of it and then rationalize and justify your actions with, Little Johnny will never notice! and Sweets have no calories on Halloween!?

Don’t worry, you’re not alone in both candy-ingesting and rationalizing and justifying. Engaging in those behaviors nowadays is a thing. An all-too-common thing.

I know, I’ve done it.

Go 400 Extra Miles To Gain The Extra Edge

Some stories about being outstanding are so outstanding, they speak for themselves. So let’s get right to it! Our story comes from a believer in the QBQ! book and its message of Personal Accountability. Enjoy and pass on!

Accountable Thinking: Choosing Thankfulness Even In Pet Loss

Nug the Pug “owning” Miller grandchild #10 — July 9, 2018

On Tuesday 9/18/18, we buried “Nug the Pug.” She was only 9 years old. Surreal and surprisingly painful, I miss her terribly. In fact, in a text to a daughter who checked on Dad, I responded, “I can’t find Nugget anywhere, but I see her everywhere.” 😥

A week later, in my final Denver Rescue Mission board meeting (my 5-year director stint is up), I shared a message with the group in the photo below. These are wise, Godly, successful people who are committed to helping the homeless of Colorado. They are bankers, CPAs, pastors, executives, and even another professional speaker.

Be Like Edgar: CHOOSE To Be Outstanding!

As we write in the Outstanding! book, employers must begin to “hire character over credentials.” Organizations would do well to focus less on college degrees and more on candidates with strong character.

Edgar has character.

We get our vehicles serviced at our local Les Schwab Tire Center. Schwab is conveniently located only two miles from our home but the main reason we always go to Schwab?

Edgar.

Edgar, age 22, is a shining example of what a young person can do and become. Yes, the entire Les Schwab staff is courteous and helpful, and store manager, Jeremiah, gets credit for that. However, Edgar stands out.

Which makes him … outstanding.

Evidence of Character

Edgar’s character exudes from him at every turn. What’s so exceptional about this Edgar fella?

6 Truths of Self-Pity and the Dangers of Victim Thinking

When does compassion for people become the enabling of victim thinking?

Here’s a phenomenon I’ve noticed: Some people who love the QBQ! book’s message of Personal Accountability—and refuse to suffer from victim thinking themselves—will support other people’s tendency to play the victim. Even though they agree with this statement:

When I play the victim, I serve no one—not even myself.

Why some go out of their way to paint certain groups of people as victims—seeking to create a “fairer and more just world,” they’d say—is beyond me. PLEASE don’t get me wrong, we should desire to serve those who are less fortunate, but …

Discover 5 Areas of Life Where Stability Leads to Greater Energy

ALERT!!! Amazon has a terrific price right now on Raising Accountable Kids!

My son-in-law, Justin, showed me the new race car track he’d bought his two-year-old son, Wyatt.

As Justin and I were playing with it (boys will be boys, ‘ya know) the little car headed toward a bend. At the curve, the track wobbled so much it caused the car to slow down and just … fall to the carpet.

As Justin reached over to tighten a supporting track leg, something he’d clearly done before, he made this offhand comment:

“When the track’s not stable, the car loses energy.”

And I thought …

The Backbone of America Is Named … Maria

ALERT!!! Amazon has a wonderfully low price on all versions of the Outstanding! book here!

Backbone of America

I ran into a gal I graduated with from high school in 1976. Though I’m not very relational and don’t spend a lot of my time “visiting folks,” I thoroughly enjoyed seeing her.

This get-together wasn’t tons of fun for me just because it was a blast from the past. It was the person—Maria Cacciotti Salino—who made it special.

She’s an impressive person. Some would call Maria “the backbone of America.”

Why?