Alan Weiss’s Monday Morning Memo® – 5/19/25

There were 67,000 pedestrians injured by vehicles last year, and another 7,500 deaths. That's an 11% increase over the prior year.

Saturday evening my wife and I were driving from church to our regular restaurant, with the top down and excellent visibility, when we stopped at a light before turning right onto the town's main street. When the light turned green, a woman started to cross at the crosswalk, and the car in front of us waited. However, when she was midway across the street, a pickup truck turned left into that street from the opposite, facing lane and hit her with the front of the vehicle, knocking her into the air and then on her back and head onto the asphalt. For a moment, I thought she was dead. (I learned today from the police she has some fractures but will completly recover.)

I exited the car with Maria, but by the time I was at the corner the woman was surrounded by a half-dozen people, and there were shouts of “Don't move her!” and “Call 911.” I grabbed my phone and, fingers shaking, dialed 911. After six rings I was connected and asked standard questions about location and severity (I was seeing her make slight movements) and the police and EMTs arrived within three minutes. (During this time, a black Mercedes pulled around my car with difficulty, and made the right turn, coming within feet of her body. If I'd had a gun I would have shot his tires out.)

The truck driver was distraught, on the ground next to the woman. He did not brake until he had hit her, clearly never saw her, and I estimate he was going 5-8 miles per hour in a pickup truck weighing over two tons.

We had to move because we were blocking traffic that would have to detour. I called the local police and explained I was the one who called 911 and asked if I were needed. They asked me to come in the next day to make a witness report.

I've flown in choppers, sea planes, a blimp, a hot air balloon, and experimental aircraft. I've scuba dived in rough seas. I've worked for Asian clients in jungles during Communist insurgencies. Life is about calculated risk, and sometimes unavoidable risk: I asked my father once how he could parachute at low altitudes into enemy guns. “You just assumed it wouldn't be you,” he said cryptically, and he never said another thing about it for the rest of his life.

I live my life and appreciate every minute of it, successful and unsuccessful, planned and surprised. Eschew guilt, whether internally-generated or foist upon you by malicious others. If you feel bad about what you've done or haven't done, atone, confess, and repair it if you can, but move on.

I don't know whether you believe in an afterlife, but you'd better believe in this life if you're going to lead a productive, contributing existence.

Let's all see each other again, right here, next week….

It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live. —Marcus Aurelius

The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time. —Mark Twain

Life is hard. Then you die. Then they throw dirt in your face. Then the worms eat you. Be grateful it happens in that order. —David Gerrold
When your time comes to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song, and die like a hero going home. —Tecumseh

What happens when you’re meeting your aspirations, when your lifestyle is fabulous, and your prospects are excellent? How much is “enough”? Is there a “retirement”? How do you change (or sell) your business and IP? Are philanthropy, volunteering, and service right for you? Are you able to care for family and important others? What will keep you excited and positive—and “youthful”? We’ll explore this and more over two days of intense discussion and exercises in a small group. We’ll get together in Los Angeles for two 9-to-4 days, June 11 and 12, including a reception. As you know, you’ll learn a lot from your colleagues and peers in that room. $7,500. https://alanweiss.com/growth-experiences/beyond-success/