My first step out of the Crud and back into the world. Photo by Alex Woods on Unsplash A co-worker recently called the Covid epidemic, “crud.” I thought it was the perfect word for the past couple of years. It feels like we’ve been in this cesspool of human waste that has led us from a moment of darkness to an illuminated path forward. Wow. What an icky metaphor. Bear with me for a moment. By human waste, I’m referring to the ugliness that accompanied the pandemic, not necessarily the physical waste that piled up as people produced more trash while sheltering in place became the new norm. I am referring to the humanity’s treatment of each other during one of the most difficult times in modern history. I am using this Election Day, before the results are known, to reflect on what is happening in this nation and within my own sphere of influence (as Covey would say) to organize my thoughts on my path forward. How do I become my best self when so many, including myself, are tryin...