So, we made it! When we first thought of doing this, we wondered if we could actually interest anyone in doing it, but we went ahead and gave it a try anyway. We don’t know about you - but we are very glad we did. We have all achieved something really special here…counting those who responded as “Attending” to our facebook event, and those who have told us they were participating, even supposing each person did one good deed a day, that’s over 6000 good deeds over the course of the month. And since quite a few people did multiple good deeds…there’s no way to get a truly accurate number but we’re talking quite a lot of positive effects here. So everyone who participated should be proud of themselves.

Tomorrow, as we’re sure you know, is Be Awesome Day. We hope you’re planning to go just that little bit further to make a difference - after all, the 29th only comes around once every four years, and what better use for it than to make a difference in the world? If you’re doing something awesome tomorrow and don’t mind, you could even take pictures and send them to us. We’re trying to compile a video of the awesome goings-on as a memento of this month, and we could really use your help!

There are some people we really must thank for all their help, support and contributions. Firstly, the amazing Robin for hosting us for free. Secondly, Rae, Chan and Trin for being so awesome and supportive and for inspiring us right back! Thirdly, to the amazing Andrew Slack, who believed in Be Awesome, and who not only bulletined about us, but bugged OTHER people to repost it too. To everyone who posted videos about it on YouTube - particularly Gir1inthemirror for her daily way to be awesome - Chasing Quaffles, professorspork, snappyjdog, lucybabe56, itscalledpeace and LailaLorestone. To Kelly, for making us such a pretty logo…and the Schizophrenic Fangirls, Morgan and Darcy, for writing us a SONG, an actual song! And finally, to everyone who did a good deed over the past month - you have helped and inspired us and each other more than we could ever have imagined at the end of last year when this was all just a distant dream.

So thank everyone who participated for believing that doing small things can make a difference. Gandhi said, “You must be the change you want to see in the world.” We urge you not to stop trying after this month is over, to go out there and continue ‘being the change’. It’s a worthwhile aim, and the results can be, to put it simply, awesome.

For the last time - be happy, and don’t forget to be awesome.

When people think about changing the world, they tend to think of huge changes - overthrowing dictators for example, or maybe ending world hunger. But one thing people never seem to consider is how the tiniest things can affect people. The way an unexpected kind word can bring a tear to your eye. The way a random smile can send your spirits soaring. The way someone helping you carry heavy shopping bags can turn your whole day around. Sometimes the smallest of things can make a massive difference in someone’s day. Not only that, but have you ever done something for someone else and felt better about yourself as a result? ‘Good deeds’ can be very positive for everyone.

Hopefully you can see how much the little things can matter. This is not to say that big campaigns aren’t important, because of COURSE they are. It’s so easy though, to feel helpless, to think that you can’t do anything to change the world, as you are just one person. Even as an individual however, you can make a difference to those around you. And when a few ‘just one person’s get together, they can make a bigger difference still. Nobody who ever made change sat at home and said “I’m just one person, I can’t do anything.” Some people didn’t even mean to take a stand, like Rosa Parks (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosa_Parks), who just needed to sit down and ended up being an inspiration to millions of people! The seeds of change can be planted anywhere, any time, by anyone. So never think you’re too small to make a difference.

Now that you know you can make a difference, how do you go out there and do it? Simple. Hold doors open for people, smile at them, make conversation, hold the lift for someone, carry heavy bags…and a million other little things which can make someone’s day brighter. Sign petitions, support causes you believe in, donate to - or raise money for - charity.You never know when you might be the one needing help with a heavy bag, needing to hear a kind word, or needing help from a charity. We all live in the world - it’s up to us to take responsibility for changing it. We owe it to ourselves and to each other to be the best people we can be, and to do our best to make this world a better place for EVERYBODY.

To sum up, a quote from a very wise man, Mahatma Gandhi: “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” Couldn’t have put it better myself.

I hope that you’ll join us in trying to make a difference, and remember that even if you don’t think it matters what you do, as long as you CARE, you’re halfway there.