51-26-1

Laura & Joe Wichlinski taught their 10 kids that getting along with others was among the keys to a meaningful life.  We were taught to play nice in the sandbox (sharing) and to treat people with kindness and respect (caring).  We grew up in a modest 3-bedroom tri-level home; 5 boys in one bedroom, 5 girls in the other, one drawer per child, a couple of inches in the single closet, and the first bed available at night.  While we did not have many of the comforts most took for granted, we were each provided a great education and love to fill a lifetime.  We were inspired on a daily basis to do more with less and instilled the importance of acceptance & perseverance. 

Through this inspiration I offer my fellow Regionites the following daily affirmations:

- Contrary to the impression reinforced by Chicago media, da Region remains part of the great State of Indiana. 

- It is possible to take pride in da Region while respecting the fact that we are Hoosiers and Indianapolis is our Capitol.

- State Legislators are the people who cast votes to pass laws in Indiana which affect our lives and our livelihoods in da Region.

- Passing a law in Indiana requires 51 affirmative votes in our State House of Representatives, 26 votes in our State Senate and the 1 signature of our Governor.

- Elected Representatives and Senators travel to our Capitol in Indianapolis from all over our great State (not just Indy) to serve in our State legislature.  Many of those elected legislators come from right here in da Region.

- Sustained assaults, suspicion and disrespect of our State institutions and those serving in State office do not reflect good people skills, do not win friends and influence people and are ultimately counter-productive in terms of protecting da Region’s interests.  Isolation and vilification may prove to be effective vote-gathering techniques, but adversely affect our region and its citizens.

- Respectful behavior is acknowledged and rewarded.   Misbehaved citizens are first ignored, and then reprimanded.  Reprimand comes in a variety of forms.

- You don’t get seconds until you’ve cleaned up what’s already on your plate.

Some useful reminders:

- Education is freedom.

- Information is power.

- Readers are leaders.

- It is impossible to solve a problem you are unwilling to recognize.

- Change requires taking ownership of problems and demanding solutions.

- Improvement begins with desire.

- Words spoken are strong, but those written are everlasting.

Eleanor Roosevelt reminded us that, “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”

I conclude with Counselor Al Meyer’s wish...

Peace, Power and Joy,

Bob Wichlinski