The insightful quote, “Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans”, popularised by John Lennon in his 1980 song “Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy),” serves as a gentle reminder of life’s unpredictability.
While Lennon brought widespread attention to this sentiment, the phrase was originally coined by writer and cartoonist Allen Saunders. It first appeared in a 1957 issue of Reader’s Digest, phrased as, “Life is what happens to us while we are making other plans.”
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John Lennon, born on October 9, 1940, in Liverpool, England, was a founding member of The Beatles, one of the most influential bands in music history. Beyond his contributions to music, Lennon was known for his activism and advocacy for peace. Tragically, his life was cut short when he was assassinated on December 8, 1980, in New York City.
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The essence of this quote encourages us to embrace the present moment. It highlights that, despite our meticulous planning, life unfolds in unexpected ways. By acknowledging this, we can cultivate mindfulness and appreciate the journey, rather than becoming solely fixated on our destinations.
Tony Barnard, Los Angeles Times, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons