‘Life happens’ is a phrase I use quite often – and have for some time. It seems to sum up and explain those ‘things’ that occur every day that seem to defy explanation. Typically these are activities, events, people, ‘things’ that seem to have no origination point yet … happen.
When I first started using this phrase I noticed that people tended to react to it with an understanding, a knowledge of the appropriateness of it. Yet, I’m not sure that I’ve ever provided or heard a definition. Perhaps it the universality of the phrase and the lack of definition that enhances its use. Obviously it’s a ‘known’, a ‘given’.
However, if I were pushed to provide a definition I would say that ‘life happens’ is a description of what is happening that wasn’t expected. It can be used to explain both positive as well as negative ‘happenings’. I use it to respond to a situation that I really am not certain how to respond, and it always surprises me that the other person/people always nod sagely to my comment.
Somehow I believe we all need these phrases since they also provide a way of responding without causing hurt to others or yourself or misunderstanding. The phrase is neutral and conveys no value. And somehow it really does explain what is happening. Actually the only variable in this is us – how we respond to ‘life happens’.
