The purpose of "Soul Food: Stories of Hope and Inspiration" is to give encouragement and hope to those who have grown discouraged with life, those who are facing a crisis or challenge or those who just wish to read uplifting stories of people . . .

The purpose of "Soul Food: Stories of Hope and Inspiration" is to give encouragement and hope to those who have grown discouraged with life, those who are facing a crisis or challenge or those who just wish to read uplifting stories of people who have overcome challenges or found peace and happiness in their lives.

Bad news is everywhere in the media today. A steady diet of it lowers our resistance to disease and has an effect on our emotions and mood. Good news of hope and inspiration can raise our level of seratonin, the "feel good" chemical produced in the body, thus helping us to feel better emotionally and physically.

If you have a story that you would like to share (personal or otherwise), please do so. Your story may be just what someone needs to hear to renew their optimism.

In my own life as a minister, I have found that platitudes and Bible scripture are helpful, but personal experiences and the stories of others are what really touches our hearts and uplifts us, because they are about people just like us.

(Please do not send unrelated stories that do not meet the purpose or goal of this group. They will be deleted.)