One of the most powerful things we can do is take responsibility for our actions. And saying “I’m Sorry” goes a long way, but we often must put actions to our words.
Several weeks ago Morgan Wallen did a really stupid thing. No arguing there. We now know he was on a “72-hour bender” and we all know we do stupid things when we make stupid choices.
Please note, I’m not making that an excuse, but it is a reason. Obviously, there are still some things in Wallen’s heart he needs to work out to even make him use that word.
But what I immediately saw was cancel culture yet again kick into full gear. Was that the right response?
As I watched it happening, I had to step back and ask myself if anyone was going to address the root of the real reasons he was making such poor decisions, or if they were just going to leave him high and dry to figure it out on his own.
I can’t imagine finding “overnight success” which is pretty much what happened to him. All of a sudden, he had the world at his fingertips and more money than he knew what to do with. All of a sudden, he could get any girl he wanted, get into any club he wanted, and have anything he wanted at the snap of his fingers. That all sounds exciting to some, doesn’t it? But that can be one of the scariest places to be.
I must wonder if he had people surrounding him, trying to help him understand how to balance this new fame he found. If so, he wasn’t humble enough to listen and really hurt himself. If not, I hope he quickly realizes not everyone is for him.
What I find interesting is that while so many were just writing him off in this new “cancel culture” world, organizations representing the black community were reaching out to him for conversation. Instead of telling him to go screw himself they were saying, “Join us for real conversation.” And he did. And they spoke. And he listened.
Man, what if we did that more often? Chose to have hard conversations instead of just writing people off. Preaching that to myself.
I don’t know Morgan Wallen and I don’t know his heart, but what I can say is that it was not easy to make this video. It is not easy to humble yourself like that. But I believe his words are genuine. Sometimes it takes extreme humility for our words to be genuine. I’ve been there.
I love that he’s willing to say he’s 9 days sober and wants to do better. That takes humility.
I love that he was willing to go have hard conversations about his choices. That takes humility.
So, my question is… after watching this video… will we accept his apology and hope for change, or will we continue to cancel him because he did something really stupid?
Whatever the decision shows where our hearts lie.