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We're supposed to help others, right?  That's what we were taught as children.  We were told it was how things were done long ago.    Our great-grandparents who lived in the rural areas of this great country knew the value of helping each other and depended on that concept.  Remember the "barn raisings?"  How would they have built their barns without neighbors coming to help them?  When a farmer was ill or when one died other farmers came to their neighbor's aid and took care of the planting or harvested the crops.  Neighbors helping neighbors was the way they lived...they had to...to survive. We've all seen pictures of Boy Scouts helping the elderly cross the street.  We've seen men and women give of their time and talents to build houses for Habitat for Humanity and known that was the right thing for them to do.  Churches and civic groups are still sending volunteers to to help re-build part of the city after Hurricane Katrina hit there in 2005 and more will be flocking to the area now after Hurricane Ike.  We even have groups collecting much needed supplies for people in and after those countries experienced natural disasters. Most of us have a heart for helping other people but sometimes we get too busy in our day to day lives and don't take time to do it.  Not that we wouldn't be there if a friend needed us, but you a small business and what about the other small businesses in your community who could use your help?  Some of them are just getting started and don't have large advertising budgets.  Some are struggling because of the current economic trends while others may be doing well, but can you ever have too much business?  Wouldn't helping each other help the economy as well? How many times have you eaten a wonderful meal in a restaurant and couldn't stop telling your friends they ought to go check it out for themselves?  We've done the same thing for years with a good book we've read or a movie we've seen and really liked. Helping other businesses is called Networking and it is done much the same way.  When someone you know or come in contact with has a business or service you know someone else needs, you take the time to spread the word and share that you know someone who can help them with that need.  In turn others in your networking group do the same for you with the people they know and the new people they meet. We've all started the process of helping others by joining MerchantCircle to network with other businesses to increase our internet traffic.  Let's not get too busy in our day to day lives and forget what we're here for.  If I run across someone who needs your service I will definitely tell them about your company and send them an Instant Message or email with your business information.  I hope, in turn, if you know someone who is uninsurable or unable to afford the high cost of traditional dental or health insurance you remember AmeriPlan Dental and Health Plans and give them my contact information. Just like our forefathers, we will do it because we have a heart to help others, but we will also do it in these tough economic times not only for our business to survive, but to thrive, and to help our neighbors' businesses thrive too.  Isn't that the Great American Way?Susie Dickinson is a benefits consultant who helps individuals, families, and small business owners cut their dental and medical costs with AmeriPlan Dental and Health Plans.  Our plans start as low as $14.95 a month. Enroll today and see a dentist tomorrow! www.CutMyDentalCosts.comor  http://www.merchantcircle.com/blogs/AmeriPlan.Dental.and.Heath.Plans.866-615-8849 ...read more

Whiplash Helped With ChiropracticAn article published in the Journal of Orthopedic Medicine in 1999 pointed out the superiority of chiropractic care for patients suffering from long term whiplash. The authors of the article noted that a previous study had shown that 26 of 28 patients, or 93 percent, of patients with chronic whiplash benefited from chiropractic care. In the authors own study, they interviewed 100 consecutive chiropractic referrals of patients with chronic whiplash. Their results also showed that of the 93 patients who remained in the study, 69 of them, or 74 percent, found improvement. The researchers concluded their opening comments with the statement,“The results from this study provide further evidence that chiropractic is an effective treatment for chronic whiplash symptoms.”Dr. Brian Drutman is a chiropractor with many years of experience helping those in car accidents recover from their whiplash injuries. Contact him today toll free at 877- 430 - 7246 (PAIN) or go to his web site athttp://www.tampabaychiro.com for more information. ...read more