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.