The Foreign Service Journal, January 2006

F O C U S 68 F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L / J A N U A R Y 2 0 0 6 many distinguished speakers: diplomats from other countries, Foreign Service people, journal- ists, scholars, international orga- nization representatives, etc. My wife and I love to travel. Although as a nurse she has done a lot of international travel accompanying handicapped peo- ple or Europeans who become seriously sick or injured in the Western Hemisphere, we contin- ued our own travel program, enhanced in 1996 when I was asked to be a lecturer on a cruise ship for the first time. I have since lectured on over 20 cruises and three air tours. These are not easy to come by, but for a start simply contact the directors of entertain- ment of the various cruise lines. Yes, a few of those opportunities seem to have fallen into my lap — but all because I was out there looking, writing letters, passing out my calling cards and talking with people I knew. I repeat — do not expect any- thing to magically appear unless you are already out there doing something about your future. Remember the old adage, for those of you sharing a marriage or a relationship, about being “married for love but not for lunch.” In our major cities there are a great deal of interesting — and often non-costly — things to keep one occupied, and some of them may lead to work (paid or unpaid) based on your background and interests. Just do not get dismayed. Get your pals to help. And keep off that couch! Gil Sheinbaum Vienna, Va. n This is the second half of your adult life; perhaps it’s time to mentally stretch a bit and do something completely unrelated to the tasks of the last 25 or so years. — Gloria S.N. Lloyd