Meet Aspry Jones

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Aspry Jones a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Aspry, so great to have you sharing your thoughts and wisdom with our readers and so let’s jump right into one of our favorite topics – empathy. We think a lack of empathy is at the heart of so many issues the world is struggling with and so our hope is to contribute to an environment that fosters the development of empathy. Along those lines, we’d love to hear your thoughts around where your empathy comes from?

From the point of view of the card-carrying introvert of days past, I was more interested in avoiding people over connecting with them. But, then a weird thing happened to me. Driving rideshare for two years to make ends meet, I was forced to talk to folks all day, every day. It was maddening, having to turn on a ‘personality’ whenever someone got into my car.

Sometime later, after mercifully moving on from Lyft and Uber, I took a break from social media because people were annoying me with their complaining; their meaningless posts. Politics! All the time, politics! In a nutshell, I wanted people to behave how I wanted them to behave.

In the end, it made me think…

I’d committed a lot of mistakes in my life and never once considered myself a ‘bad’ person. I said to myself, ‘I’m sure to have ticked off a ton of people for one reason or another. Maybe instead of holding others to some high bar of judgement, I’d be better off molding myself into that person I wanted them to be.’ So, I worked on doing just that. And it taught me a lot.

If you can stop judging others, then you can understand them. If you understand them, you can embrace them. And, if you can embrace them, you can love them. When I became that person, I was more open to people. I was suddenly no longer that introvert who didn’t like people. In fact, now when I meet someone new, it makes for a better day.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

My childhood was defined by whirlwinds of escapism, from ‘Star Wars’ toys, to ‘Transformers’ cartoons, to Marvel Comics, to worlds of science fiction. Every time I’d lost myself in someone’s creativity, I would be empowered to put my own imagination to use. A natural sketch artist, I drew my own comic books. I saved up my allowance money to buy graph paper for designing my own Batman-like secret headquarters, or souped up future car. Eventually, I graduated to writing stories that spilled freely from my overactive mind. I always needed a release. It was a compulsion to create.

Of course, there was lots of time to play with the guys outside, but I had ‘friends’ bounding about in my brain needing attention too. It was a balancing act. Time with the boys was awesome, but those moments alone were precious.

I spent decades working in the television industry, but it stood to reason that I’d eventually gravitate toward writing my own books for a living. All those years with my eyes glued to the TV, or focused on pages of another’s whimsy, came to a head, influencing my own desires to build worlds. One day in 2013, I bought a pen and a pad and started writing. I had a rough idea for a story: It was going to be about a guy who could travel to alternate universes. It just blew up from there.

Today, that novel is ‘Protectors Of The Light Crown.’ It was a long time coming. If I’d written it today, I’d do many things differently. It was my first book, after all. But a colleague once made a sage observation by saying, ‘You taught yourself how to write books by writing a book.’ He nailed it. That fantasy novel won five awards, and counting, so I can say that, for a first time outing, I have nothing to crab about.

And I’m on an incredible roll. As of this day, my debut children’s book is in editing – as is my sequel to ‘Protectors.’ Also, there’s ‘Mirror: An Everyman’s Far-Fetched, Hard-To-Believe, Preposterous Spiritual Journey,’ which should hit shelves come Autumn 2026. That’s the publication of my own five-year spiritual journal in book form. Yes, there’s a bit more to me than just tales of sword and sorcery!

What’s next on the horizon? Well, I’m pretty predictable. I let the wind and the pen make those decisions. May they not betray my trust.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

June 3rd 2018 is my sobriety date. Alcohol held me back for many years. But I don’t beat myself up about it. I have accepted that I needed those failing times to mold me into who I am today. Aspry Jones has never been better!

I think what we forget about life is that it’s a test. Our sorrows are supposed to teach us what not to do, developing us along the way. If we don’t learn from the trials, then we have suffered for nothing, and will see those hurts again. My transformations have allowed me to forgive myself and love myself in greater measures than ever before. Doing so has shown me paths toward doing the same for others. I give three pieces of advice:

One, forgive everyone, but forget nothing. To forgive is to release yourself of mental and emotional burdens. But never forget the lessons you were taught. My spirit stays free because I have no ill will toward anyone. My decisions are smarter because I remember what not to do.

Two, judge nobody! Ever! Don’t let someone else’s bad karma taint your good karma. Hating on another’s life choices only puts your own intolerances on display. Meanwhile, you’re forgetting how very imperfect you are while pointing out someone else’s so-called flaws.

Three, I have my own version of the ‘Glengarry Glen Ross’ ABC’s of success. Always Be Creating! I don’t know how many times someone has come to me saying they wish they could do this, or want to do that. “I think I’d like to write a book too.” “One of these days, I’m gonna open that business.” “Podcasting seems fun.” If you want something out of life, you’re the only reason you don’t have it. Stop making up excuses to not follow that dream.

I had nothing but a pen and some paper. No money, no job, no home of my own. And I wrote that book. There’s always a way. The term ‘You are your own worst enemy’ couldn’t be more true. If you forget that, read the first paragraph again.

What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?

When I think of my mom and dad, may they rest in peace, both gave me two positive, influential nuggets that are daily parts of my life.

My mom wasn’t one for giving advice, but the standout has to do with the Bible and prayer. She wrote me a heartfelt letter while I was a student at Norfolk State University. The subject of religion came up out of nowhere, and she said that whenever I prayed, to make my needs and desires as detailed as possible. Because the term ‘Be careful what you wish for,’ can lend unexpected consequences. So, that’s how I pray. I go deep.

Dad, on the other hand, was more about the Earth than the Spirit. Having a long history of coaching sports, his guideline for life was about winning at it. He told me that to love one color of woman was a mistake. To love one type of movie genre would limit me. Dad said, I should open myself up to all things. He counseled me on the importance of getting 100% of everything this world had to offer. Love all the music, read all the books, make friends of every race. Dad taught me to spread my wings because love was always better than hate. I’ve lived that way ever since. While some friends look cross-eyed at my Green Day album, or ask how I could stomach watching ‘Frasier,’ or question why I studied Korean, I’m steady living my best life, putting love front and center, paying their judgments no mind.

But I draw the line at reality TV. No thanks. You can keep that for yourself.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://aspryjones.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asprywrites/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aspry.jones
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aspryjones
• Twitter: @AspryWrites
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@asprywrites
• Yelp: https://tinyurl.com/AspryWrites
• Other: Quora – https://www.quora.com/profile/Aspry-Writes