September Signals More Than Summer’s End

To most of us, September heralds the end of summer and the beginning of a new school year. In the lives of adults, September also represents the hallmark of maturity, says author Charles D. Hayes. Accordingly, September is the date set for publication of his new book, The Rapture of Maturity: A Legacy of Lifelong Learning.

“The September of life is all about perspective,” writes Hayes. “The possibility of sifting wisdom from our lived experience is now available to us, if we’re willing to accept the challenge and make a commitment to independent learning and thoughtful reflection.” Now is the time to begin.

The true rewards of later life, Hayes points out, consist of intellectual and spiritual pleasures that arise from:

Rekindling your interest in learning about yourself and the world
Connecting with younger generations to pass on your experience and enthusiasm for authentic living
Resolving to make some contribution to global harmony and the future of humanity

Seniors adopting these objectives will put life into perspective, enlarge their worldview and remain mentally vibrant, says Hayes. In this context, “rapture” refers to sheer intellectual joy at being alive and the rewards of living authentically, striving to better understand the world, and accepting responsibility for posterity. In a chapter titled “September University,” Hayes asserts, “It’s possible to leave a vapor trail of your own interests so visible and powerful that anyone who comes near is caught up in the wake.”

The Rapture of Maturity: A Legacy of Lifelong Learning

By Charles D. Hayes
Autodidactic Press, $21.95, Hardcover, 224 pages,
Dist. Ingram Book Company
ISBN: 0-9621979-4-7, Publication date: September 1, 2004

The Rapture of Maturity provides young and old with a roadmap for developing a heightened awareness of life’s mental treasures and a new and profound understanding of the mysteries of human existence.

Hayes, a self-taught philosopher, has been writing about the value of self-education for nearly two decades. As one of America's leading voices for lifelong learning, he has been featured in USA Today, in the UTNE Reader, and on NPR’s “Talk of the Nation.” His previous books include the award-winning Beyond the American Dream, as well as Training Yourself, Proving You’re Qualified, and Self-University. His recent novel, Portals in a Northern Sky, has inspired readers across the country to read or reread classic literature. He was a contributing writer for Creating Learning Communities, published by The Foundation for Educational Renewal.

Review copies and author interview arrangements are available on request. Contact: Nancy Frey at 907-376-2932 or nancy@autodidactic.com.

Autodidactic Press, PO Box 872749, Wasilla, AK 99687, SAN 200-3058, www.autodidactic.com, info@autodidactic.com.

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