Today was a great day.

I’ve worked on college campuses since the late 1990’s, and for decades I’ve heard the same complaints about students:

-          “College students only care about themselves.”

-          “They’re oblivious to the people around them.”

-          “They live on their phones and notice nothing else.”

I’ve probably said or thought similar things.

But lately, things have felt different. Maybe I’m paying closer attention, or maybe this generation deserves more credit than they’re typically given.

Today, two young ladies reminded me of that.

I was going across campus when I saw three women struggling to push large, heavy carts down a busy road. The carts were awkward and bulky, and the wheels were barely hanging on.

No offense intended toward these hardworking individuals, but they likely wouldn’t have been the first choice for this role if other options had been available. I don’t know how far they had come or how much farther they had to go, but the struggle was real.

When I first spotted the unlucky movers, they were straining to push their cargo along the rough road. The carts were making lots of noise and drawing a lot of attention. Even with all the commotion, the women were receiving no assistance. Their biggest test was going to be on the distant side of an approaching intersection. Just past the traffic light was a very steep and long incline, and they were headed straight toward it.

The woman at the rear of the pack was wearing a soft cast from the knee down on her shoeless, left leg. She was clearly exhausted and laboring to breathe. I saw no chance of her making it up the hill. I quickly made my way to her and assumed the chore. She was beyond relieved and thankful.

As the remaining two ladies ahead of me made their way safely through the intersection, their pace slowed as they began the ascent. With the steepness of the hill, I quickly caught up with them.

As I looked ahead, trying to determine our destination, I saw two students walking down the hill directly toward us—Kayla and Isabella.

They looked like they were heading to the gym. Beautiful day. No urgency. No obligations. Not a care in the world. They could have kept walking like everyone else, and nobody would have thought less of them.

They didn’t debate or wait to be asked.

They knew it wasn’t their responsibility.

The carts were going in the opposite direction and up a steep hill.

They didn’t know how far they had to go.

But as soon as they recognized the struggle, they separated without hesitation, and each girl grabbed a cart.

They didn’t get out their phones for selfies or a social media moment.

They were attentive, saw a need, and chose to joyfully serve without hesitation. Isabella and Kayla demonstrated what it means to be Sharper Leaders.

I smile as I think about the joy Isabella and Kalya experienced the rest of the day because they recognized a need and chose the hard thing—to serve others.