Actually, I've been awake most of night. I just finally decided to stop fighting it, make some coffee, and make good use of time.

Why am I awake and back to work when I just made my way to bed a few short hours ago; when my typical sleep pattern is at least 5 hours a night of solid sleep-time?

I'm sick - "under weather". It's a head cold.

(Excuse me ... I have to blow my nose ... again!)

A few days ago, I was holding my youngest daughter, four years old Gabbi, while she cried streams of tears in pain from her head cold and double-ear infection. I cried with her, feeling her pain and praying with her for pain to go away and make her all better.

I promised her, my sweet angel-baby, that God would hear our prayers and take her pain away soon. Without her knowing, I also asked God to allow me to take on her pains and ailments, if nothing else ... but to take it away from her, for certain.

Two days later, my left ear started giving me some problems. Another day later, I have a full-blown head cold.

So, I'm awake. It's going on 5 AM. Luckily, I work from home and set my own hours, schedule, etc, etc. My friends and coaching clients are very understanding and loving people. And, luckily, I can recognize a "sign" when I see one manifest like this; it's been time to "shut down" lately ... and I've done so, like it or not. Or, at least, that's how I've chosen to excuse it.

Are you sick right now? If so, do you know why? The other day a friend of mine was telling me, "I always get sick this time of year. It's like clockwork - once in winter time, once in summer time", she said.

"You do", I asked, as if I couldn't believe it. Accordingly so, because I couldn't believe it.

"Yep - it happens EVERY year! Heck, I just plan on it. I know it's coming, so I just make sure I'm ready". And she was so matter-of-fact about it. Unbelievable!

"Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat????? You've GOT to be kidding me!!"

"No - I'm not kidding at all. Why are you acting like that about it", she asks. I could tell she wasn't amused. However, I was ... incredibly!

I went on to explain my thoughts about this to her ... hopefully to her benefit.

Stop for a minute and think - do YOU get sick every year at a particular time? And how many people do you know who say something like this ... and live up to their word?

While speaking with others or listening to radio or television, do you pay attention to words and phrases people use? Try that. Try to identify their dominant modes. By modes, I mean visual, audio, or kinesthetic. Do they see things -- I see what you're saying, hear things -- I hear what you're saying, or feel things -- I feel that I have a grasp on what you are saying?

As you do, keep a running tally on words and phrases and which mode they represent. The Late Show with David Letterman or The Tonight Show with Jay Leno gives you plenty of opportunities to observe speaking habits. Once you get used to paying attention to a stranger's speaking habits, you can easily go on to people you know.

Now, once you've determined which mode person is using to communicate, practice using same words and phrases as that people in your conversations with him or her. You don't have to do it exactly. Stay in same mode, but use different words. I see -- I view it this way. I hear -- that sounds right to me. I feel -- I'm touched by that.