What is it About Thinking?

Are we so busy we haven't got time to think? Are we so tired and brain dead that thinking is the last thing we have time to think about? More and more are we thinking about less and less?


Are we allowing others like the media, politicians, religious leaders, parents, teachers, pundits, psychics, celebrities, spin doctors, bosses, friends, even traditions and superstitions to think for us? Are we being told how we should and must think, and accepting others' thinking without thinking for ourselves?

A Pragmatic Thinker is a person who observes oneself, other people and the issues of the world around them, as 'practically' as possible. We strive to think for ourselves, examining the cause and the effect of our thinking.

By: Larry John, LJW Author. To read more Larry John order his book: Larryisms or visit his website at The Pragmatic Thinker!

Quote of the Day!

"I don't believe in guilt. And I feel bad about it."

This is a favorite qoute pulled out of LJW Publishing's own Larryisms by Larry John. You can read about Larry and his book on the LJW Publishing website. And you can find more "Larry" on his website: The Pragmatic Thinker or chat with him on his blog: Pragmatic Thinker Blog.

Featured Arizona Poet: Michal John

Traveling the Rim Alone

by Michal John

In my speeding four-wheel drive I am

Whirled away in an ever upward spiral-fleeing from

Pressures spawned in the valley below.

The higher I climb up on the rim the freer I become.

Like scales dropping from a horrid dragon, I am

Revealed, a soaring feathered bird in liberated flight.

A huge blunt yellow orb, apparition-like-appears.

Just above the tree line; massive, devouring.

Yet, like a hungry owl spotting its prey,

I try to devour Him. First wtih my eyes and

Then with my Soul but he disappears as

I dip into a turn, my heart aching at the loss.

Then, like a seductive lover, only giving glances,

Playing coy, mercilessly teasing me,

The heightening ball, bigger, then smaller,

More yellow, then white, dodges behind ridges

And peaks through heavy black green pines,

Beckoning me to stop, dally...play.

But the truck races on,

Too proud to stop, afraid of others,

Still aching with desire

I gasp with each new sighting

My heart beating harder with anticipation at every turn.

Whispering, "Will I see him again?"

At the top of the summit, like two lovers meeting,

We gaze at each other

Without obstacle, unrestricted.

But he has somehow changed.

Where is the familiar face I am prone to view?

Is this a first time seeing, have I been fooled?

Quizically glancing in disbelief I discover

A gray black cloud, in an otherwise cloudless sky,

Made of him a foreign face in the deep

Blue, blackening sky. The wind gently brushes aside

His mask as He rises higher and brighter in the

Diminishing earthlight. He silently marks my path.

The forest smells of fresh rain, early, alive.

My hair whips about my cheeks,

Lips, and neck-wild caresses,

The distant clouds explode with light.

I, like Leda*, have been seduced by a God in disguise.

She by a swan and I by the moon.

*Leda and the Swan, a poem by W.B. Yates. In Greek mythology Leda, seduced by Zeus in the form of a swan, produces important mythological children, Helen of Troy being one of them.

Thanks Michal! We love reading about different "moments" of appreciation and wonder and Arizona has inspired many! If you've got an Arizona insprired short story, poem or essay...we'd love to read it!

Looking at the big picture...Arizona Style!

Some might say that the LJW Publishing list of upcoming titles is an eclectic mix, others might say that the selection seems random, still others might say that they're not sure of the connection, but today you'll find out what the common thread is that makes a book an LJW Publishing choice! It's the acknowledgement of the big picture.

We're a small press run by Arizona natives. And as Arizona natives we're very well trained in the art of looking past the obvious and recognizing the wonder that lays on the horizon: the BIG picture.

There are many places that can be called beautiful, but there aren't many places that offer the same opportunity to appreciate the beauty of an area in the same way as Arizona. In Arizona...you get the Big Picture. For instance, other regions featuring rolling hills, and towering oak trees, and bubbling brooks amid wooded areas are very picturesque, but the beauty of Arizona is something you have to reach for. It's not sitting right there waiting for you to walk on it or run into it; it's waiting for you to look up and take notice and give it the respect it's worth. And once you do...you'll know what I'm talking about.

Books have the same opportunity to provide beauty, and the books LJW Publishing offers give it...big picture style. That's the common thread.

Speaking in Larryisms...

Definitions of Pragmatic or Pragmatism but not Pragmatics (because that's something else altogether!)

According to Wiktionary:

Pragmatism is a noun meaning: The compromising of one's ideals to better deal with the specifics of a situation. The pursuit of practicality over aesthetic qualities; utilitarianism(philosophy) A philosophic school linking the meaning of beliefs to the actions of a believer, and the truth of beliefs to success of those actions in securing a believer's goals.

Pragmatic is an adjective meaning: Practical, concerned with making decisions and actions that are useful in practice, not just theory.

Wikipedia suggests:

[That] most of the thinkers who describe themselves as pragmatists consider practical consequences or real effects to be vital components of both meaning and truth.

Happy Holidays! A Gift From LJW Publishing to The Rest of You...

Happy Holidays! At LJW Publishing we believe in giving gifts during the holidays. It's just fun. And since we've never met most of you and probably won't in the near future here's our digitally delivered gift...a referral to people we've worked with in the publishing business that have treated us right and delivered a good service/product!



LJW Advertising (of course): we use them for advertising advice/design/placement. They have great connections and always seem to be able to get the most for every dollar in the budget! Contact them by clicking here: Larry John Wright Advertising.



AaronGraphics: AaronGraphics provided us with barcodes to our specifications. They were very professional and most importantly to our most recent project...very FAST! Contact them here: AaronGraphics.



Lyndsay Johnson: This freelance graphic designer worked on a project for us and it turned out very fun, creative AND professional. Which is excatly what we were looking for! Email for contact info about possible freelance projects: Sarah@larryjohnwright.com and I'll forward your info on!



Thomson-Shore Printing: The end result of working with TShore is a great book just the way you designed it. They were very helpful and professional and able to discuss specifics and changes and accommodate the needs of the project! Contact them here: TShore!

Happy Holidays!