One may live ineffectively in a large city offering every cultural advantage or live effectively in a seemingly humdrum environment.

I came to grips with my narrow, uninspired view of life when we lived in a small community for many years. Though I respected my husband's profession, which linked us to this location, I resented what I thought were irrevocable confinements. I felt remote from good theater and concerts. I craved a university atmosphere with lively inquisitiveness and plenty of give–and–take. In short, I floundered in the sludge of self–pity, smoldering resentment, and despondency until I began to realize that misery is self–imposed and environment subjective—not a material, ungovernable condition.

I saw that the problem wasn't where I was but what I was thinking. As Mrs. Eddy says, "Darkness and doubt encompass thought, so long as it bases creation on materiality."^{Science and Health, p. 551;}

This was the trouble! I was lingering in the gloom of materialism and bypassing the joy and aliveness of Life as Christian Science reveals it. As a student of this religion, I recognized that I would not find more happiness in a city until I discovered it within my own consciousness in our community.

First steps in establishing a true concept of Life included honest self-examination, genuine willingness to replace worthless, restricting views and false opinions about relationships and environment with unselfish, spiritually-oriented attitudes. I determined to think of my surroundings and myself as perfect manifestations of Life, God—radiant and unlimited, spontaneously giving and receiving. More than anything, I wanted to feel the security of thinking from the standpoint of Christ, Truth. I wanted to cut away the self-mesmerism of limitation and enjoy the freedom of spiritual existence.

With this goal in mind, I set up a daily schedule. Early morning hymn-singing prepared my though for the spiritual, healing truths found in every Lesson-Sermon in the Christian Science Quarterly. Hours of studying the Bible and Mrs. Eddy's writings taught me the joy of being quiet in order to take in fresh ideas from God, divine Love. I remember the sudden joy that flooded in when I came on the words, "Thou hast set my feet in a large room."^{Ps. 31:8;} I glimpsed the boundlessness of man as God's spiritual idea harmoniously oriented to all Godlike ideas. I saw that my consciousness was my "large room" and that it included buoyancy, alertness, grace, contentment, and whatever spiritual insight might be needed to prove now that life in city or village is limitless.

Instead of waiting for environment to change, I began to change it by discovering and cultivating these spiritual qualities. University extension courses in writing resulted in more acceptable articles for Christian Science periodicals. Volunteer service for The Mother Church opened wonderful avenues of usefulness in surrounding states and on many college campuses. Deeper spiritual awareness of unconfined being as God's expression was transforming my experience, lifting me above lackluster, materialistically-viewed surroundings to the natural, spiritual state of being that had always been mine. With joy I could appreciate God's directive to Abraham, "Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: for all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever."^{Gen. 13:14, 15;}

Such viewing is much more than surveying the horizon in four directions. It is opening consciousness to the grandeur of God, divine Mind. It is seeing Mind's ideas right where we are. It is receptivity to these ideas and active expression of them. This brings expansiveness into human experience. Ingenuity broadens, creativeness revitalizes, and diligence forwards the spiritual desire to understand limitless Life.

Sooner than we may expect, we're sharply aware of infinite goodness all around. And this awareness replaces purposelessness with direction and narrowness with breadth. We've come into our own!

When may this happen? Whenever we are willing to "look from the place" where we are to the panoramas of limitless Mind.

Where may it happen? In an office building or factory, cottage or condominium, sleepy town or sprawling city. God sees each of us as His own complete idea, happily placed and usefully employed. Once we grasp these truths, we'll find ourselves in midstream, feeling the surge and flow of life with its affluence and blessedness.

Our own experience confirms this. We were relocated in a challenging city with a burgeoning campus. Constructive, far-reaching activities fulfill our desires to give. Ample rewards in terms of enduring substance fill our days with joy and adventure.

Whether one stays or moves is not the important issue. Spiritual growth, not relocation, is always the vital need. Opening thought to God's universe of spiritual ideas and recognizing man's place in it causes any human environment to reflect the boundless goodness of Mind.

Limitless Life invites everyone's investigation. We can all prove Mrs. Eddy's words, "Limitations are put off in proportion as the fleshly nature disappears and man is found in the reflection of Spirit."^{Retrospection and Introspection, p. 73.}