“Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.”

John Lennon
Picture of Philosophical Quotes

Philosophical Quotes

I'm here to answer your questions and to encourage conversation on Philosophical Chat.

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.”
QUOTE INVESTIGATOR

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.
WIKIPEDIA

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

Share this chat

Leave a Comment

This blog is a passion project and I’m sure you can appreciate how much time and effort it takes. We continually resist placing those distracting adverts that pop up everywhere so donations are hugely appreciated and  help towards the costs of maintaining the blog and creating content.