I’m Back!

After a month hiatus, I’m back. That was the longest blogging break I’ve taken in 15 years. It was a busy month of celebrations and travel.

Our month started with the celebration of my father-in-law’s 96th birthday on July 1st. Chuck served in WWII, ran a highly successful independent insurance agency, befriended many celebrities during his life, and was married to Eleanor for 72 years. That union led to five children, 11 grandchildren, more than 30 great grandchildren, and recently a great, great grandchild! He’s squeezing every drop out of life that he can!

On July 5th Jane and I headed to Europe for several weeks. We decided on the trip because we were invited to a wedding. This was someone who’s company I’d worked with in 2019. We stayed in touch and over time our working relationship turned into friendship. 

When I shared about our daughter’s wedding last year, he let me know he’d just gotten engaged. During that exchange he asked if Jane and I would come to Germany for the wedding. No arm twisting needed there!

You can’t fly across the pond for just a few days so we decided to stay for two weeks and traveled through Central Europe. In addition to Braunschweig, Germany, we spent time in Prague (Czechoslovakia), Hallstatt and Innsbruck (Austria), Lake Como (Italy), Luzern (Switzerland). The best part, we got to experience it with two of our closest friends who were in Europe and extended their time to travel with us.

Here are a few reflections from our trip:

• The landscape of central Europe, especially the Alps, was stunningly beautiful! The first time we went to a mountain top and saw the vastness of the Alps, it put us in touch with the beauty of God’s creation.
• The architecture in many of the old towns was amazing. Most of the towns we visited are older than our country, some dating back to the 1400s. I guess it’s true, they don’t build them like they used to.
• While Jane and I enjoy our time together, experiencing something so amazing with close friends made it even more special. If you can travel with friends, do so. We had lots of laughs in addition to creating memories.
• The pace of life is very different in the old, small towns. Many people ride bikes as their means of transportation. Most shops don’t open till 8:30 or 9:00, including coffee shops. And many of those same places close from noon till two.
• The service is different than in America. There’s not a rush to get customers in and out of restaurants. Tipping isn’t the norm and sometimes you have to track down a server if you need something.
• The people were very friendly. They were as interested in us and America as we were in them and where they lived.

If you ever get an opportunity to visit countries, like Germany, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Switzerland, or Northern Italy, do it! We’re so glad we went but I must say, it’s good to be home after several weeks away. Jane and I both enjoy our lives, routines, home, family and friends, etc. so it was good to return to our normal lives.

Brian Ahearn

Brian Ahearn is the Chief Influence Officer at Influence PEOPLE. An author, TEDx speaker, international trainer, coach, and consultant, Brian helps clients apply influence in everyday situations to boost results.

As one of only a dozen Cialdini Method Certified Trainers in the world, Brian was personally trained and endorsed by Robert Cialdini, Ph.D., the most cited living social psychologist on the science of ethical influence.

Brian’s first book, Influence PEOPLE, was named one of the 100 Best Influence Books of All Time by Book Authority. His follow-up, Persuasive Selling for Relationship Driven Insurance Agents, was an Amazon new release bestseller. His latest book, The Influencer: Secrets to Success and Happiness, is a business parable designed to teach you how to use influence at home and the office.

Brian’s LinkedIn courses on persuasive selling and coaching have been viewed by more than 500,000 people around the world!