Being kind online and other moments that made your day

Being kind online and other moments that made your day

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SALT LAKE CITY — It can be easy to hide behind a computer screen and say mean things. But when someone extends some kindness online, it makes a difference in that corner of the Internet.

That's our goal of this weekly column — to make the Internet a more positive place and inspire others to serve one another.

So when we received a story of a man responding to an eBay seller's mistake with compassion, we have to smile at the efforts of others to do similar things.

Read on for that story and three others.

Responding kindly online:

Amy M.

Share your story with us:
Have you seen any moments of service or kindness? Do you want to share a story about something that made your day? Email a brief story (100 words or fewer) along with any photos or video to crosenlof@ksl.com.

"We were going through difficult times financially when my teenagers decided to sell the toys, games, and collectibles, contributing the proceeds to our family fund. In listing a Wii game on eBay and subsequently selling it, in the pre-yard-sale chaos and confusion I inadvertently included the wrong disc in the right case before shipping. When I got a message from the buyer informing me of my mistake, I panicked. I apologized, telling him to keep the wrong disc and I would send him the other. When I returned from mailing off the right game, I received a message saying he would pay for both.

"It would've been justified for him to get upset at my mistake and demand a refund, but he didn't. Instead, he responded with fairness. I had been so stressed, but his patience and kindness made me cry, and vow to be more patient with others."

On inspiring others to pay it forward:

Jerry F.

"My Mom and Dad were running some errands recently when the bearing on the fan belt idler pulley of their Yukon self destructed, destroying the fan belt along with the pulley. Dad is an excellent mechanic but an emergency road-side repair is not easy when you are 80 years old. Fortunately, they were close to AutoZone in Herriman, so Dad was able to muscle the Yukon into the parking lot without the aid of power steering. After purchasing the new idler arm and belt, the AutoZone employee that rang up the purchase, Chris, volunteered to come out and install the new parts. It's great to know there are people out there willing to lend a hand. Thanks to Chris and AutoZone, I will be paying extra attention to pay a kind deed forward."

Page Two:

On complimenting others' efforts:

Janice B.

"A few months ago I was grocery shopping with my little ones when a woman whom I'd passed a couple of times in the store came over to me and said, 'You are a good mom.'

"This truly brightened my day. I didn't know the woman, but letting me hear that lifted my spirits. Thank you for your kindness."

On going beyond your duty:

Kevin P.

"Recently, my wife and two young daughters, ages 2½ years and 2 months, got a flat tire. I left work to go change it out, and the managers of a North Ogden Lee's market store came out and helped, and brought us water bottles. I then took the tire to the Big-O Tires nearby and they patched it at no cost. It was a great surprise and very refreshing to see people so willing to help strangers."

Have you seen any moments of service or kindness? Do you want to share a story about something that made your day? Email a brief story (100 words or fewer) along with any photos or video to crosenlof@ksl.com.

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