Sometimes the smallest deeds of kindness can have the biggest impact, despite our common belief that life-altering events call for large gestures or dramatic actions. A selfless act, a small favor, or a simple word of encouragement can completely change someone’s perspective and even their life’s trajectory. Even though they may not seem like much at the time, these events can have unanticipated effects.

In the midst of a deluge of rain, a man wearing a full business suit and carrying a briefcase gave me an umbrella and refused to accept no. To get to the train, I still had to walk through Times Square, and I’m sure he got wet on his way there.
When it began to rain a few weeks later, I gave the umbrella to a lost girl in my neighborhood who had none. The universe seemed to want it to occur. However, I will always remember that man. © Reddit/i_not_bovvered

“I made friends with a kid in an airport when I was around four or five years old, and he was playing with a few Lego cars that were glued together. When it came time for us to part ways and board the plane, the child insisted that I keep one of the cars after we had played with them for about an hour. He claimed it was evidence of our friendship, but I insisted he keep them.
And I still have that car filled with my box of childhood mementos about 20 years later. © Reddit / givebook

“Our family was impoverished. Once, my mother had saved enough money to take my sister and me to the museum and zoo. We even went out to eat and had a great day.
She then discovered she had overspent and didn’t have enough money to pay for all three of us to get to the bus stop on the way home. The snow had just begun to fall, and we were considering a 6-mile walk.
Mom was going to ask someone for a ride, so we sneak into a little Chinese restaurant and ask if we can use the phone. After our mother explains why we needed the phone, the owner not only gave us the money to board the bus, but also sent us home with enough food to feed six.

He requested that we pay it forward instead of trying to repay him one day, as my mother had promised. Thirty years later, it still resonates with me because it was the first random act of kindness I had ever experienced. © Reddit/hassenoma01
“My car was parked in our duplex’s driveway when it was severely egged over night years ago. The following morning, we needed to go somewhere, so we borrowed the wife’s car. My car was immaculate in the driveway when I returned a few hours later. While we were away, the neighbor—whose name I didn’t even know at the time—washed it for me. © Reddit/Ceristimo

My parents had just given birth to my younger sister when I was in the fourth grade, so I was very focused on the baby. I unwrapped the foil containing my sandwich and opened my paper bag before heading to school for lunch. Inside, there was nothing. I was disappointed because there were only two dry white slices of bread.My tablemates literally contributed different ingredients to create the most delicious sandwich I’ve ever had. Since then, I’ve been pursuing that sandwich, but I’m positive that it was the reaction rather than the components that I enjoyed. © Reddit/I Am The Grapevine

“First apartment, first winter, first winter utility bill, 19 years old. I told my coworker, grinning, I’ll just pay it, forego lunch, and have cheap Macaroni and cheese for supper. It will be alright.
Coworkers unintentionally stole extra chips from the vending machine during that entire month. An extra sandwich was packed by the wife. When I arrived, I would find a box of my favorite crackers on my desk. I didn’t starve, but it was still difficult. Thank you, everyone. © Reddit/alady12

“I once forgot to bring my wallet when I went to buy bags for my vacuum cleaner. The proprietor of the store handed me the bags, shook my hand, and instructed me to give him the cash the following day. He trusted me, a complete stranger, to act morally, and I did. © Reddit/Independent-Bike8810
I’m wearing a nose ring. I was standing at a Taco Bell counter once. The young woman who took my order must have been sixteen years old; I was twenty-one.

“I’ve never seen a guy wear a nose ring before,” she says. ‘Well, you’re not looking in the right places!’ I joked. Then she simply shrugged her shoulders, looked directly at me, and said, “Well.” You’re stunning.
After that, she left, and someone else gave me my food. I still occasionally think about that. © Reddit/mothershipq
A man I met online was with me at a restaurant. The waitress showed up out of the blue and spilled my coffee all over the table, despite his insistence that she bring it to me. Anger made my date flush.

The waitress whispered, “I did it on purpose,” as we were leaving. He was unfaithful to you. I stared at her, perplexed and shocked. “Earlier, I caught him flirting with another woman,” she added.
Not sure if I should approach him or just leave, I thanked her. She ultimately prevented me from wasting any more time on someone who didn’t deserve me by being honest with me.

“I once heard from a close friend about the positive things that other people were saying about me. She continued by saying that when we are not present, we lose out on all the positive things that are said about us. That truly resonated with me, and I have made an effort to give back, even though it is a little awkward to do so. I truly believe it is wonderful to hear.” © Reddit/Unknown author