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

We’ve recently seen six privileged women go briefly into orbit. All are media stars in one form or another, they designed their own suits for the venture, and they were weightless for about 15 minutes, sang songs on descent, and one of them kissed the ground on her arrival back on earth. Their combined net worth is estimated at over $500 million.

Not too long prior, actual astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore were marooned on the space station for 9 months, conducted scientific experiments, relieved the existing crew of chores, and kept up their spirits since they had been scheduled for only two weeks. They’re already back to work. The recovery ship and a lone dolphin greeted their splashdown.

And now “Prince” Harry has lost still another lawsuit about his security if he returns to London. He has whined continually, though he was born into the world’s wealthiest continuing family, never had to work, and is paid huge sums to lend his name to endeavors for which he has no discernable talent or contribution. He’s bemoaned his fate in the sniveling book, Spare, despite having a talented and beautiful wife and living in huge wealth in a mansion in LA. The couple's net worth is currently estimated at $60 million.

These are the privileged who don't know it and don't appreciate it, and have zero consciousness of the negative impact of their actions on society. It reminds me of Barbra Streisand paying the steep fines so that she could keep watering her lawns during a drought. Yet all of them consider themselves liberal and progressive, supporting those in need.

I emceed a church fundraiser Saturday night. I, the auctioneer, the volunteers, the providers of the auction items, and so on were all there pro bono. The cause was to raise money for those who needed shelter and food and clothing, and to support the good efforts of the church in the community.

We didn't take bows afterwards or consider ourselves “stars” due special treatment for our past or present status. We did it to help others, not ourselves.

The love of family and the admiration of friends is much more important than wealth and privilege. —Charles Kuralt (Of no small irony, upon his death it was discovered that Charles Kuralt had a long-term relationship with Patricia Shannon while married to his wife, Petie Baird. This relationship, which lasted for over 20 years, is often referred to as his “second family,” particularly because Kuralt provided financial support and became a father figure to Shannon's three children.)

Rank does not confer privilege or give power. It imposes responsibility.  —Peter Drucker

When you're accustomed to privilege, parity and equity and equality may feel like oppression. —Raphael Warnock

I'm having the time of my life and the fact that I'm still working—how lucky can you get? I'm 90 years old and still able to work as much as I do. That's a privilege. —Betty White

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/