"When I was a kid, I dreaded the question." ~Adam Grant

"What do you want to be when you grow up?" That's a question we can all relate to in one way or another. Either you were asked it, you've asked it, or both.

The other day the title of an article, "Stop Asking Kids What They Want To Be When They Grow Up," caught my attention. Adam Grant, the author and an organizational psychologist stated, "The question forces children to define themselves in terms of work." As a retired teacher, parent, and grandparent, I spent some time mulling over his thoughts. I'm certain I've asked the question, and guessing many other adults have as well, just as adults in our young lives asked us.

Thinking back many years to my childhood, common answers were fireman, policeman, nurse, teacher, and even cowboy or cowgirl. What percentage of past generations actually achieved their childhood replies? Kids now have a much broader spectrum to choose their responses on any given day. Today there are careers and jobs that didn't even exist a few years ago. And I expect new job titles and careers are yet to come into existence.

In days gone by, folks stayed with a company or even a career for their entire work life. (My husband had several job titles with the same company for 45+ years until he retired six years ago, for example. That sort of employment tenure is becoming extinct like dinosaurs.) I recall many years ago in a college class or workshop, a professor stated that in the future people will have many jobs, employers, and/or careers in their work life. How prophetic.

Rather than asking kids what they want to be when they grow up, Mr. Grant proposes, "Instead, invite them to think about what kind of person they want to be -- and about all the different things they might want to do."

Makes sense in 2019, don't you think?

"The first rule of hurricane coverage is that every broadcast must begin with palm trees bending in the wind." ~Carl Hiaasen

As I write this on Sunday, Hurricane Dorian batters Abaco, Bahamas as a Category 5 with 185 mph winds. I recall a few Abaco vacations back in the 1970s and 1980s - beautiful beaches, balmy breezes, friendly folks, and fabulous food. It's hard to imagine what it's like today, and what tomorrow will bring.

I know I've written about hurricanes before. ("We Can Make Our Plans" - 9/18/17 and "Hurricane Force" - 10/15/18) They capture my attention. Dorian's the 4th named storm at the beginning of September. (Tropical Storm Erin's somewhere out there, but not getting much attention.) Compare this year with 2017, when at the beginning of September, we were watching the 9th named storm, Irma. And in 2018, we saw the 6th named storm, Florence, in September. All that to say, let's hope this is a less active hurricane season than the previous two years. Hurricane season in the Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico ranges from June 1 to November 30, with September being the most active month.

As I've checked in with The Weather Channel for hurricane updates through the years, I often shake my head as meteorologists put themselves out there in the middle of wind, rain, flooding, and flying debris. From the comfort of my living room, it seems dangerous. I hope there are precautionary measures in place behind the scenes to keep them safe.

Recently I saw Stephanie Abrams sharing "Safety Tips" using TWC's "Immersive Mixed Reality Technology." It was really quite impressive. She educated viewers with virtual technology on all that can happen during the stages of a hurricane, and how to prepare and stay safe. But I couldn't help but wonder, after the feature finished, why the TWC staff tells us one thing but then puts themselves in peril. Perhaps one of the meteorologists might consider doing a feature on how things are behind the scenes and how they are really safer than it appears as they battle the elements. I know it would help me feel better about it. How about you?