Earlier today, I was driving through a light drizzle. The windshield wipers clicked on, clearing the water so I could see the road ahead. It made me think about coffee—specifically the filter.

A filter has one purpose: to separate what we don’t need from what we do. In coffee, that means removing the grounds so the drink is smooth and ready to enjoy. In driving, it’s clearing away rain so we can move forward safely. And in life, it’s often removing distractions, noise, or doubts so we can focus on what really matters.

When we brew coffee, we trust the filter to do its work. Without it, the cup would be muddy and hard to enjoy. Life works the same way. Without filtering our choices, ideas, and routines, things become overwhelming. But when we focus—when we filter—we find clarity, direction, and purpose.

Coffee reminds us that filtering is not about losing; it’s about refining. It’s about bringing out the best, whether that’s flavor in a cup, vision on the road, or clarity in our goals.

So the next time you brew coffee, think of it as more than just a step in the process. It’s a reminder that clarity takes intention. And just like a good filter, it helps us move forward with vision.