Thomas Ryan is a Catholic priest and member of the Paulist Fathers. He coordinates ecumenical and interreligious relations for the Paulist community in the United States and Canada. He is the author of 12 books including The Sacred Art of Fasting: Preparing to Practice.

Ryan defines creativity as "the ability to see new possibilities in set ways of doing things." Everyone has this capacity just waiting to be nourished and nurtured. The author believes that creativity blooms for many as "the third birth" (after childbirth, adolescence, and midlife). In this latter stage of life, Ryan tapped into the creative urge to express himself and his deepest yearnings through poetry. Samples are scattered throughout this paperback. "Wedding Feast" is an example:

"My life is a wedding feast,
a crescendoing celebration
of the slow-growing union
of two in love. I know now
that when all present could see
the shortfall, it was you
who filled my empty jar
with living water, just as
it is you who are changing
each day's living into wine."

To access your creativity, Ryan suggests you begin by making a roadmap of your creative journey. He fills the book with questions for reflections and exercises to try. First, he outlines four paths to develop your creativity:

• Come to your senses.
• Visit your special places.
• Discover you music.
• Seek inspiration from others.

This is followed by four practices to tap into your creative potential:

• Listen to your longings.
• Have your own experience.
• Work the edge of your comfort zone.
• Surrender to the adventure.

Ryan concludes by identifying four spiritual gifts of creativity:

• Connecting with your Creator
• Awakening more fully to life
• Unleashing the power of imagination
• Enjoying the surprise of grace.