Quote of the day by George Harrison: ‘It's being here now that's important. There's no past, and there's no future’ — a lesson on learning from the past, preparing for the future, and most importantly, appreciating the present moment

It is easy to get caught up in thoughts about the past or worries about the future and forget to appreciate what is happening in the present. While we can learn from our experiences and make plans for what lies ahead, we have little control over what has already happened or what is yet to come.

The Beatles’ George Harrison reflected on this idea in a memorable quote about the importance of living in the present.

Quote of the day by George Harrison

“It's being here now that's important. There's no past, and there's no future. Time is a very misleading thing. All there is ever, is the now. We can gain experience from the past, but we can't relive it; and we can hope for the future, but we don't know if there is one.”


Harrison shared these thoughts during an interview for the 1987 television documentary It Was Twenty Years Ago Today, which was made to mark the 20th anniversary of The Beatles’ album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.

What does the quote mean?

Harrison’s words emphasise the importance of being present and appreciating the moment we are currently living.

When he says, “It's being here now that's important. There's no past, and there's no future,” he points to the fact that the present is the only moment we can actually experience. The past has already happened and cannot be changed, while the future remains uncertain.

The past can still teach us valuable lessons. Our experiences, including our mistakes and failures, can help us make better decisions. However, dwelling on what has already happened cannot change the outcome.

Harrison also describes time as “a very misleading thing”. Our perception of time can change depending on what we are experiencing. Some moments may seem to pass quickly, while others can feel much longer. Regardless of how we perceive it, the present remains the only moment we can directly experience.

His final thought, “We can gain experience from the past, but we can't relive it; and we can hope for the future, but we don't know if there is one,” reinforces the uncertainty of life.

We can learn from the past without remaining trapped in it. Similarly, we can hope for a better future and make plans for it, but we cannot know exactly what will happen. Spending too much time worrying about what might come could mean missing out on what is happening right now.

The lesson from George Harrison’s quote

The quote offers a simple reminder to appreciate the present and the people, experiences and opportunities around us. Learning from the past and preparing for the future are important, but neither should prevent us from living in the moment.

Harrison’s message is ultimately about finding perspective. We cannot change yesterday, and we cannot fully control tomorrow. What we do have is the present, making it important to pay attention to the life we are living now.

More about George Harrison

George Harrison was an English musician, singer-songwriter and music producer best known as the lead guitarist of The Beatles. He joined the band as a teenager and became an important part of its distinctive sound through his guitar work and songwriting.

Harrison wrote several of The Beatles’ best-known songs, including Here Comes the Sun, While My Guitar Gently Weeps and Something.

He also developed a strong interest in Indian music and spirituality. His association with Indian musician Ravi Shankar introduced elements of the sitar and Indian musical traditions to his work and influenced The Beatles’ music.

After The Beatles broke up, Harrison released All Things Must Pass, a triple album featuring songs he had written during and after his time with the band. The album became one of his most acclaimed solo works.

Harrison died in 2001 at the age of 58. He continues to be remembered for his contributions to The Beatles, his solo music and his influence on popular music.