From Our Founder May 17, 2010 By Bob Wichlinski My Next 30 Years   “If you ain’t growing, you’re dying.”  I can’t recall exactly when I learned that expression, but it’s stuck with me my entire adult life.  In a way, it describes how I’ve lived my first 50 years.   As my 50th birthday approaches, I’ve invested the last 6 months or so in some serious self examination to reflect upon where I have been, to better understand where I am now, and to chart a course for my next 30 years.   My exercise has inspired a litany of “better get after its” including a cessation of my smoking habit (ain’t so much as held a cigarette since October of last year) and long overdue weight loss (I was starting to resemble the Pillsbury Dough Boy).   I returned to my guitar and my music which I’d largely abandoned with the exception of music liturgy at church.   It has taken patience and practice, but the skills are beginning to return.  Smoking cessation went a long way to restoring my lung capacity while ushering the return of a singing voice I was once pretty proud of.   As part of my weight loss program, I began swinging my pitching wedge each and every day.  I am committed to joining daughter Abby and sons David & Neil on the golf links as often as possible this season.  I’m gonna “find my game” which I misplaced after High School and have yet to locate.   In January, I returned to my alma mater, Valparaiso University, to earn my Masters degree in information technology management.  I figured I’d served as an IT professional for 27 years so it made sense to earn the degree in my chosen profession.  I am a life-long learner, so the experience has been exciting and rewarding.  For the last few years I’ve been lecturing at Purdue Calumet and now I’m getting to taste what it’s like to be on the “receiving end” of the learning process.  The perspective has actually improved my teaching skills.   In February I “threw my name in the hat” for another opportunity at public service as I entered the race for Porter County Auditor.  I haven’t had success at the ballot box following my 4 years serving as Porter Township Trustee, but that has not diminished my determination and desire to serve in elected office.  I enjoy helping people while improving the quality of life in my community.  I attribute my passion to my admiration of Jefferson, Franklin and Lincoln.  What intrigues me most about the Auditor’s position is that it is ideally suited to the utilization of both my management experience and my information technology skills.   As I pause to memorialize my thoughts I realize that I have a great deal to be thankful for.  So many blessings, so many memories.  Much has been accomplished, yet much work remains.   I hope and pray that I will be deserving of the countless blessings bestowed upon me, most especially my loving wife Lynnette and our four children… and that I will continue to grow.        As always, I can be reached via e-mail at b@219.com Notice to Reader: The following are comments from readers. In no way do they represent the views of editor of the article or 219.com. We will not edit or alter your comments, but we do reserve the right to not post or to remove comments that violate our code of conduct. No comment may contain potentially libelous statements; obscene, explicit or racist language; personal attacks, insults or threats