Did you watch the Oscars? I did and I loved it. I’ll tell you why.

But first, I know it’s easy to be cynical about award shows. The rich and famous patting each other on the back, showing off expensive clothes and jewelry, making all of us who aren’t there feel so ordinary… right?

I have actually heard some celebs say that nights like the Oscars are an opportunity to play “dress up”—meaning, they all don’t walk around wearing Versace and diamonds in their day-to-day lives. They probably wear a lot of Target, just like you and me.

Making film or television is extremely difficult work, with long hours and grueling physical demands. I’m in awe of the incredible talent, but maybe moreso, the persistence of these artists. Seeing a shooting star happen on a night like the Oscars is a brilliant sight, but in reality, making dreams come true takes a ton of money, a ton of helpers, a ton of work, and a whole bunch of luck.

My four favorite stories from this year are:

• Brendan “George of the Jungle” Fraser who won Best Actor for “The Whale”

• Ke Huy “Short Round” Quan, a former child star who returned to acting after a decades-long hiatus, who won Best Supporting Actor for “Everything Everywhere All At Once”

• Jamie Lee Curtis, a 46-year industry veteran who won her first Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for “Everything Everywhere All At Once”

• Michelle Yeoh, the veteran action star who became the first Asian best actress winner to win Best Actress for “Everything Everywhere All At Once.”

Literally, the ones with the best stories won.

Many people had written him off after his comic hits in the 90s. When Brendan Fraser accepted Best Actor at the Critic’s Choice awards, through a trembling voice and shaking hands, he noted, "Took me 32 years to get here." And then with tears in his eyes, he said, "If you're like Charlie, who I played in this movie, in any way, struggle with obesity, or you just feel like you're in a dark sea – I want you to know that if you can just get to your feet and go to the light, good things will happen. Thank you. Good night."

Me: Tears.

When accepting his Oscar, Ke Huy Quan shared his remarkable story. “My journey started on a boat. I spent a year in a refuge camp. And somehow, I ended up here on Hollywood’s biggest stage,” he said through tears. “They say stories like this only happen the movies. I cannot believe it’s happening to me. This — this is the American dream!”

Michelle Yeoh accepted the Oscar for Best Actress (the first Asian to win in this category) and said, "For all the little boys and girls who look like me watching tonight, this is a beacon of hope and possibilities. This is proof that dreams do come true." At 60, she’s finally getting long-deserved recognition. She added, “Don’t let anyone ever tell you you’re past your prime.”

Jamie Lee Curtis’s “We won an Oscar” humility-drenched acceptance speech pointed to her big-heartedness, but also the reality that no one gets to that place alone. It takes a village, or in this case, entire armies of people each doing their part behind-the-scenes.

"Please, follow your dreams,” Ke Huy Quan exclaimed, and I cried.

Because yes, I am going to keep following my dreams. Because yes, sometimes it is exhausting to keep going. Especially when you don’t see any signs of progress. It’s not all about wanting recognition or awards, it’s about being seen. Having your voice heard. Having your creativity connect with others, and received with appreciation.

I believe this is something we can do for each other.

We can listen to each other. We can encourage each other to keep going, even when it might seem unreasonable. We can take an interest in what other people are dreaming about, what they’re working on, what they’re thinking about working on.

Because there’s something so important about really living... and not just merely getting by. About living courageously. About listening to that voice inside nudging you to let your creativity and love be birthed into the world. Refusing to let fear or the expectations of others hold you back from living from your heart.

Maybe you have dreams you have yet to journey into. Or perhaps you want to be one of the behind-the-scenes people that helps someone else find their wings.

I hope I am that voice of hope and inspiration to you. But more than that, I hope you are inspired and equipped to be the voice of hope and inspiration to the people around you.

Look around you at all the incredible stories that are being played out in the lives of those around you. People are struggling and tired. Many are hearing that the future doesn’t have anything good in it. They are longing for a brief glimpse of hope to keep going. Let’s be the tools God uses to speak life, love, and hope to those around us.

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DID YOU KNOW?: Oscar campaign season kicks in heavily in December, but honestly it starts even before a film is released—with millions of dollars spent on advertisements in the trades and tons of jockeying for media appearances. Then there are a series of lessen-known award shows all leading up to the Oscars—many of these same people have been busy for the past couple of months going all kinds of places—campaigning of sorts, with people watching who wins and how they respond to winning, to determine who they vote for to get the big one—the Oscar. It’s an exhausting circuit.

So once Oscar night arrives, these people are super tired, which leads to some pretty emotional acceptance speeches. These are the special moments I love, watching someone express their joy and gratitude, while communicating how their journey wasn’t all roses and champagne, but instead, was rocky and tumultuous.