The perfect climate

Travel folders, resort advertisements, chamber of commerce brochures, often include the appealing words, ''Perfect climate.'' Is there any such thing? Yes! And through spiritual sense you can recognize it right where you are.

In the ordinary sense of the word, climate depends upon many material variables, including temperature, wind velocity, rainfall, and so on. Considering the term from another viewpoint, however, we find that climate is far more than a mere material phenomenon. The term also refers to the prevailing temper, outlook, and attitudes of a group or period. Considering the relationship of thought to experience, we can begin to see a connection between the climate of thought and the weather.

The Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, includes this point in an article: ''. . . the atmosphere of the human mind, when cleansed of self and permeated with divine Love, will reflect this purified subjective state in clearer skies, less thunderbolts, tornadoes, and extremes of heat and cold.'' n1 Here and now we can be within a more spiritual atmosphere of thought and contribute to a more harmonious climate.

1 The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 265.

The Master, Christ Jesus, demonstrated his dominion over climate. The boisterous winds and waves were stilled at his command, an indication that God's law of harmony can overcome even the most violent weather conditions. Concepts and attitudes also responded in many instances to the Christ touch. Sinfulness yielded to greater purity and Christliness.

One who is today endeavoring to demonstrate the Master's teachings may well ask himself, ''What are the fundamental concepts and attitudes pervading my thought? What is my concept of God?'' The individual who conceives of God as Spirit, as ever present and infinitely good, and of man as His reflection or spiritual image; the one whose attitude is primarily joyful, loving, unselfish, grateful, and expectant of good -- that individual, wherever he may be, is truly dwelling in the perfect climate.

A Christian Science family once moved from a state considered to have an ideal climate to a section of the country where the weather ran to extremes. When they arrived, it was hot and humid, and they had to deal with great discomfort both day and night. A few months later, however, when the winter season arrived, they shivered in the freezing air and thought back almost longingly to the previous time of sunshine and heat. The paradox of the situation awoke them to the need for looking away from material conditions -- either good or bad -- and establishing for themselves a more spiritual atmosphere of thought. The result was a far greater sense of freedom and comfort , and a new appreciation of the beauty and promise of each season.

Referring to God, the Psalmist declared, ''The darkness and the light are both alike to thee.'' n2 All days are indeed alike to God in their spiritual perfection. All days and seasons should be alike to us in the opportunity for good they afford. The consciousness imbued with an awareness of God's presence, of the gentle warmth of divine Love, is not disturbed either by extremes, or by abrupt changes, in temperature.

n2 Psalms 139:12

Realizing that we actually dwell in the environment of God's presence, we'll enjoy right here and right now more of ''the perfect climate.'' DAILY BIBLE VERSE In him we live and move, and have our being. Acts 17:28