Creekbank Stories Curt Iles, Storyteller

  What Really Matters: My Life Statement Scroll down for an expanded version of My Life Statement As of Monday, July 22, 2024 Throughout my adult life, I’ve kept a journal of my priorities, which I call “My Life Statement.” I’m sharing them to encourage you to develop your own statement. Make it personal.  Write it down. Do it now. …

            Creekbank Family, My upcoming short story collection is entitled Where I Come From: Field Notes from the Pineywoods. I’ve listed chapter titles and taglines.  I’ll be adding new chapters, so stay tuned. Most of these chapters have been published on the Creekbank.net/blog. Take a look. As always, I welcome your input. questions. and feedback …

CHAPTER No tears NO TEARS THE GIFT OF TEARS HARVARD MENTAL HEALTH   “You know I cried when I read your story.” I smiled, “So did I.” No tears in the writer. No tears in the writer. I want to tell stories that move people. Laughter Tears Shaking of the head I don’t believe Walking away from that story moved …

Visit The Quiet Leader Blog more at www.creekbank.net Leaders Have Big Hearts   “Always put people above paper.” -Dwight D. Eisenhower The best leaders always have big hearts. They are looking out for their people. Their big-heartedness overflows into mutual love and respect. A team will follow a big-hearted leader wherever she leads. She’s built trustworthiness by being a servant-leader. …

A cup of coffee . . . and sandwich with Paul I hope you’re enjoying our thoughts on the short book of Philemon.  I ask for your comments and insights.  That is how we learn best! In verse 1, Paul identifies himself as a “prisoner of Christ Jesus.” This humble term identifies Paul and is the first floorboard in building …

            ”The Old House at Night”  1963  tempera on cardboard by my uncle, Bill Iles. The Old House in Dry Creek. First constructed by my great-great grandparents circa 1892, this family home is my favorite spot in the world, the source of many of my stories, and my best writing muse. Below is the opening …

Love and Discipline I once read a story about a father’s wise advice to his daughter, who was struggling with disciplining her young children. The father invited her to take a boat ride on a nearby lake.  The boat had two oars and the father told the daughter to take one oar and row. The boat went in a circle. …

  Riding the Cussin’ Bus   When we first moved to Alexandria, I worked as a chaplain for Roy O. Martin Corporation. My mission field was the two ROM mills near Alexandria.  Because of the noise and busyness inside the mills, it was challenging to build relationships. As I got to know the workers, they would open up when in …

  Wise words from King Solomon, the wisest man: “Without good direction, people lose their way; the more wise counsel you follow, the better your chances.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭11‬:‭14‬ ‭The Message   Surround yourself with good people Surround yourself with good people. Surround yourself with people who will give wise counsel. Surround yourself with people you respect and will listen to. …

  On Leadership   As I begin my 68th year on Planet Earth, I can sum up what I’ve learned about leadership in one sentence: “I want to thank you ahead of time for doing this, and I know you won’t disappoint me.” I’ve been a youth leader, parent, coach, teacher, principal, camp manager, missionary, and now a grandfather. That …

Leaders Eat Last You can listen to the podcast episode of “Leaders Eat Last”  at our The Quiet Leader Podcast Thoughts on Servant-Leadership   “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45 I’ve recently discovered a fascinating book, Leaders Eat Last by …

My Writing Manifesto Curt Iles July 2024 I write and tell stories that connect with people’s hearts. I write about what I know: the unique and fascinating stories of Louisiana’s people, places, culture, and history. I am a writer who is very comfortable in my own skin. I am a Southern writer/storyteller who lives in Louisiana and tells stories from …

Audio Podcast of “Professor Cavanaugh’s Best Lecture. ”   A word from Curt Teacher. There’s no higher calling. Few professions can influence as much as a dedicated teacher. The best teacher I ever met was Charles Cavanaugh. This is his story. “Yes, God’s will—most often—is simply doing the best we can, right where we are.” Professor Charles J. Cavanaugh and …

        More at www.creekbank.net Today’s Mini-Blog “I will walk with you”  Thoughts on kusindikiza   Takeaway: there are so many simple acts of grace we can show others. It’s called common courtesy.   Kusindikiza Pronounced “ku-sin-di-kiza.” It’s a Swahili term I have yet to find a comparable English term. Google Translate gives “To escort” as the English …