"Once" upon the Academy Awards...

Every once in awhile, at the Academy Awards, there is a moment of inspiration. A moment where you go, WOW, they totally deserved to win and not only did they deserve to win, but it makes YOU feel great that they won. Like maybe one day, you could do something that great in your life and have one of those moments too. In the past it's been people like Cuba Gooding Jr winning Best Supporting Actor in "Jerry McGuire" or Matt Damon and Ben Afleck winning Best Screenplay for "Good Will Hunting" or Roberto Benigni winning for "Life is Beautiful." This year it was Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova winning Best Song for "Once."

Marketa Irglova, particularly, touched me. She at first got cut off by the orchestra to (at least) my horror. I felt really bad for her. She was just trying to say "Thank you!" and got cut off! But then they let her back on. I am so glad! Especially since her speech was the most inspiring of the night! And, we almost missed it! Her words should be inspiring to anyone who has ever dared or even just wanted to dream: "The fact that we're standing here tonight, the fact that we're able to hold this, it's just proof that no matter how far out your dreams are, it's possible. And, you know, fair play to those who dare to dream, and don't give up. This song was written from the perspective of hope, and hope, at the end of the day, connects us all, no matter how different we are."

Wow, talk about an awesome acceptance speech. I almost cried.

Don't give up on your passions! They are important! And, you can achieve success! This story just goes to show you that you could be next...

Here's Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova playing their song, "Falling Slowly" at the 80th Academy Awards yesterday:


And, their acceptance speeches when they won the Oscar:


And, for more reading, an article from Yahoo about it:
http://oscars.movies.yahoo.com/news/reuters/20080224/1714.html