by Steve Matson, England
I shall briefly digress six years – a bit about myself and my life. I am in my third marriage and third set of children and work in a maintenance department in a prison. I had quit smoking about 5 years before this period (50 a day) and replaced it with eating and added a few pounds (sounds less than kilos) and got a bit fat. I also liked my drinking, that also helped me get fatter. During this period I never really got ill, I figured with all the toxins in my body even the bad stuff would not grow.
On caffeine from the time I got up till about six at night, I would then wind down the day as a couch potato, and at about 10pm I would have one or two or more night caps to sleep or pass out (I did like ice cold vodka). Sprinkle a little on-line roll playing gaming and that was my life. I thought I was doing alright for being in my early 50s. I was coasting in life just fine.
During the above period I had started looking for something else in life, not too hard of a look, but just bored and looking for something else.
I had gone through a few modalities on my search. Some were really out there and others were close to something but they just did not feel like the whole truth.
About five years ago a friend of mine told me about this new guy and that what he was presenting was amazing, to the point that my friend could not really tell what it was about. It took six months before the guy would be back in the UK before I could go and hear what he was offering.
My wife, her friend and myself signed up for a Universal Medicine workshop. The Saturday in June came and we went to a rented room at some college in London. We were hanging around the back of the room because we knew no one in the room, my friend had not yet arrived. While we were waiting for whatever this was to start, there was some guy setting up more chairs in the back row. The guy could have been the caretaker but he had a kind of non-imposing presence. The handyman was Serge Benhayon. At the end of that day I knew that I was home. I do not now remember what he presented, but knew it for the truth that it was. In a world of un-truths, the truth is like a snowflake in a coal pile.
I have not been ill or sick off work in the last five years. This is not from some kind of magic stuff, unless you call making choices that come from feeling your body, and not your head, magic. We all go through life doing and eating what we are told by others, things that they say are good for us. This would include, “what doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger”, “men have to be hard”, and on and on.
In regards to me giving up anything on the list of stuff that I did or ate – this was not until I could feel what it was actually doing to my body. I was willing to try anything, but give up bread? What would I put my ham and cheese with lots of butter on? I slowly reduced the amount of sugar, gluten, caffeine, alcohol and dairy in my diet to see if I could feel the difference. I was either not trying, or so numb that it took a few years before I could feel the difference in my body. The real truth will always be there when you come back to your body. Nicotine by itself is a Class A Poison, you would not drink it… but it’s ok to smoke it? For anyone who has ever smoked or tried to smoke… on your first inhale… what did your body try to tell you?
If I were never to see or associate with anyone associated with Universal Medicine again, I would not change anything in my life I currently do, because everything has been my choice. I do continue to associate with Universal Medicine and to grow more in myself, allowing me to be amazing in a world that is not. Now, that is a choice!
All good stories have a bit of sex in them. I have had my share in this life, but the first time I made love was two years ago, this was a choice.
What kind of brotherhood would have doctors to dirt farmers (l like people who grow things) and everything in between? One that doesn’t care what you do, but only who you truly are – and that is just love.
I am still, and will always be the student, someone I know says that all the time.
The Truth about Universal Medicine 
Thanks for your sharing Steve – that is the beautiful thing that it’s always up to us to do the changes and to discern whatever is presented before us.
Even if it does not look like, in a sense, we are all snails in that we bring home everywhere we go. Some are more clear than others on this, yet the fact remains.
There is a claiming of what you share in this blog that I want to thank you for. Everything has been your choice – I feel the same, I wouldn’t go back to how I used to live, I wouldn’t change what I know now, it is like the door back to who I am has been opened and it would be rude, wrong and, well illegal in my world, to try to shut that door again. I just would not do it. Thank you for the reminder for all of us that anything we do must always be in line with where we are at, forever deepening back to who we are, where we come from and what we are made of.
This is a breath of fresh air this morning. “In a world of un-truths, the truth is like a snowflake in a coal pile.” I wonder if we move in a way that blocks us from seeing these untruths, the illusion we have fallen for, for so long that it is now our normal and the snowflake appears to be the illusion.
There is a super sweet simplicity in your writing that is really lovely to read. How life was and how it’s growing now regardless of age.
‘ In a world of un-truths, the truth is like a snowflake in a coal pile.’ How beautiful is this analogy and how true it is indeed.
Truth is evident and crystal clear, and it’s seen when we want to see it. The free delicacy of its movements can’t ever be tainted… the strength of its presence can’t ever be denied.
Thank you for sharing your experience Steve, I too can say that I have changed many of my choices through listening to the presentations by Serge Benhayon and Universal Medicine, and every day I am thankful for having come across Serge because my life is so much fuller and meaningful, and there is still so much more to discover.
“In a world of un-truths, the truth is like a snowflake in a coal pile.”
I so understand this statement. The truth is so refreshing and it brings light to all those parts of life in which we have lived in the darkness.
“If I were never to see or associate with anyone associated with Universal Medicine again, I would not change anything in my life I currently do, because everything has been my choice” – me too. Nobody is telling/asking me to live this way. “I do continue to associate with Universal Medicine and to grow more in myself, allowing me to be amazing in a world that is not” – yes, me too. I actually live very far from where they do presentations, but travelling many hours by plane to be there is a choice that I make, knowing how that supports me to commit to living the way that feels true to me.
We sure do live in a world of un-truths, and if we live guided by the un-truths that surround us, we end up losing sense of who we truly are. What is so inspiring and empowering about what Serge Benhayon presents, and lives, is that the truth of who we are resides within, and when we connect to our body and being, we are guided to live in a way that represents the realness of who we are, with a far greater lightness of being.
Excellent blog Steve. I absolutely loved your honesty and its clear to me from this blog the male minority have a lot of practical wisdom to share.
I love the delightful simplicity, openness and honesty of this blog. Thank you Steve.
I too recall the first day of attending a Universal Medicine event. After years of attending one workshop or another I expected someone to look like they are above and more important than everyone else to walk on stage. After a while of waiting in a very full room, I noticed a member of the crowd who a lot of people were saying hello to as he walked around and many people warmly hugged as if he was a close friend. And then this person stepped on stage and started talking. From that day to this day I have never been lectured to, but have always been treated as an equal.
I love to read your writing, more please Steve.
Hi Steve, thanks for your down to earth story, I’m a big fan of your writing.
I just found this blog and had forgotten I had written this one. What a difference five years make! The life I have left behind is the total opposite of how I live today. Joy, harmony, self-care and love were words that were not in my vocabulary let alone living them! And, I have never in my life expressed anything, be it written or spoken! I was the poster child for the silent majority. Serge Benhayon has shown me and many others over the years the door we all can walk through back to our true selves, it is a simple choice that many have accepted and never looked back!
I was just going to ask you how you are today…is there a blog on that? Love to read it.
Hello Adele, I am amazed every day at the world we live in. I welcome mistakes as they allow us to learn and grow. We all live in a magical world when we feel and read everything around us. So the answer to your question, how I am today, I am returning to be one of the stars in the sky at night, shining brightly for all to see. It is better than the old; Fine, how are you!
I love that you are returning to be a star in the night – shining for other to see. There are so many analogies for the light in amongst the dark and how vital it is for us to each take responsibility for walking self love and self care and coming back to remember we are that snowflake/star/light so that others can reignite that in themselves as well.
“At the end of that day I knew that I was home”. I got goosebumps when I read this Steve as this is what I too experienced at my first ever workshop with Serge Benhayon. In fact I probably knew I was on my way home the minute I decided to attend the workshop but at that time I wasn’t really connected to who I am so the message would have got lost in translation. And I know that you and I are not the only ones who have had this knowing as it is one that has been shared by many others over the last 17 years.
It is the moment we recognise the snowflake to be the truth and actually notice it!!! Then we need to acknowledge we noticed it, then we need to take responsibility that the snowflake needs nurturing, then it dawns on us that we are the ones who are responsible for nurturing the snowflake. In time we realise we are the snowflake and we start noticing other snowflakes in amongst the coal pile.
An amazingly real story of how life is for most of us, not exactly obviously but in the way we settle or almost resign ourselves to being a way that is far far from who we truly are. I love the freshness that comes with everyday, it’s not wondering what is next but more walking consistently through each part to unfold what’s next, like an explorer in a way. Life wasn’t always like this, there was a dread, a pain nearly to each part. There were happy parts that were often short lived, in those times what went up would always and inevitably always come down. Life was so so up and down and it was truly painful. Now life holds a consistency, a constant flow that brings with it a joy to be anywhere doing anything. As is said, it matters not what you do but who you are that’s important and the key.
Settling in life is the perfect setting for realising that life is not it. If you are struggling, you know that life is not it. Yet, you are still under the illusion of what could be it.
I loved what you shared Steve, I had the same experience of coming home when I first heard Serge speak I knew this was the truth that was being presented to me, my whole body knew, To be held in absolute love for who you truly are by Serge is indeed a life changing experience.
I like the question you ask the audience about when we first started smoking “What did your body try to tell you? For me it really hurt my throat, it made me dizzy – made me stink, I felt like vomiting and of course I coughed, now if that’s not a clear sign to stop but the more interesting question is why?
Yes Sarah the signs are obvious about what is supportive for our bodies and what is not when we choose to listen. Simple really although when a need gets in the way we override what our body is communicating and just continue to live recklessly.
Perfect medicine for me today thank you! This struck me ‘I figured with all the toxins in my body even the bad stuff would not grow.’ how often is this an excuse to not change and then complain about how ill you feel when you do! It is so good to keep this conversation going.
Awesome Blog, love how real and honest you write about life and the choices we have in making it the awesome learning experience it can be.
We can reflect and inspire one another to make changes in life – but ultimately, it comes down to our every-day choices and building a relationship with who we are and not what we do. From here, true and lasting change can occur.
I love reading your story Steve and the ‘magic’ of choosing this new way of living. It has humour and wisdom, thank you.
This is the best blog ever! First time I’ve come across it somehow. Funny, real, and more funny! Thanks for being awesome Steve and talking so matter of factly about your experience!
Thank you Steve for sharing that we do all know that the way we have been living is lacking some essential something. Serge Benhayon and Universal Medicine present the Ageless Wisdom that, if we choose, can inspire us to re-connect to the Divine spark and love that we are.
I too am always reminding myself that I am a student. This morning as I reflected on yesterday I told myself that I am re-learning and remembering what it feels like to be connected to my soul and that there are moments when I do not feel this connection. It is in these moments that I do not beat myself up like I used to as this only further delays my evolution but I am learning to embrace the increased awareness knowing that I will have another opportunity to learn from the situation.
Reading this article is a breath of fresh air. To share with such openness and honest dedication to self and life is beautiful. This I call true grace. Giving self the grace to feel ones body and to honor what is felt. Thank you.
Amazing how you describe at the workshop you went to Serge Benhayon was putting out the chairs, how amazingly humble for the presenter to set out the room – I love it – you know someone will have something great to say when you can see that no job is too small for them or any less important than presenting to hundreds of people. That is so inspiring.
What I love most in your awesome blog Steve is your realness. For me this is very inspirational as it is an invitation to be real as well. By the way being real is also a choice!
Thank you Steve for expressing how it is and has been for you. It’s true what you say about feeling it in the body to offset or onset a choice. I was eating nuts yesterday and have been on and off them the past 2 – 3 years. They are my go to vice food for numbing the truth of what I’m feeling. But when I ate them yesterday I had a rotten stomach ache to put me off some time. I’m still not sure why I eat them. I know it’s easy for a snack, and I know I’m not being honest with how I feel. It’s actually a lot simpler to feel into the body than to numb it. A choice as Steve points out!
“If I were never to see or associate with anyone associated with Universal Medicine again, I would not change anything in my life I currently do, because everything has been my choice.” Brilliant put Steve. I feel exactly the same way.
It’s always our choice to change or not, even when we believe that another’s choices has some sort of sway over us ultimately we are the ones who choose to follow or not, to heal or not. So simple.
Simple, straight forward and from the heart, making loving choices that will change your life forever. Thank you Steve for this down to earth report on how life can be lived.
I’m glad to hear Steve that England has its set of snowflakes, you being one of them.
I love reading this very honest blog Steve, we often think our lives are pretty ok when in fact they are far from that, we can settle for living a life that may be comfortable but is that really true? Awesome that you started to question your choices and slowly began to make more loving choices, which lead you to let go of old habits that were not supporting you in anyway.
– I loved reading this part too Ingrid and your comment is very inspiring. I too appreciate what Serge Benhayon reflects to us, everything he does is done with love, equality, integrity and grace. I have observed, how he is actively part of the whole presentation, he gets involved in setting up the chairs and also helps with packing them up. This totally blew me away when I first saw how he holds himself equal to everyone and he doesn’t see any job is less or more important than another. The quality he presents in is the same quality in everything that he does, absolutely divine and truly inspirational.
Brilliant blog Steve, our body is amazing. ‘For anyone who has ever smoked or tried to smoke… on your first inhale… what did your body try to tell you?’ Great point, I remember as a child I was curious about smoking and one day I picked up a cigarette from somewhere that was still alight and tried to inhale it. I thought I was going to choke to death and I never tried it again. What I learnt from that experience was to never try to smoke again because of how it made me feel, the burning sensation in my chest and my throat. My body was telling me loud and clear that it was highly toxic. The smell of cigarette smoke instantly gives me a headache. I am appreciating how amazing our body is at telling us what is poisonous and harmful for us?
‘I do continue to associate with Universal Medicine and to grow more in myself, allowing me to be amazing in a world that is not. Now, that is a choice!’ Yes that is an awesome choice and I am with you Steve allowing myself to be amazing knowing we all are!
Steve I enjoy your matter of factness very much.I definitely get the sense that no one is here to talk you into anything. That you very much have made your own decisions in life. As I sit with this we all make our own decisions in life, all our own choices. Great reflection thank you.
When we observe our daily lives from the viewpoint that we are a student it is easier to see our life experiences as one lesson after another. Lessons that we often will need to repeat until we have full understanding of what is being presented to us but nonetheless lessons that always grace us with the opportunity to grow and discover new awareness’s about not only ourselves, but the world around us. Great blog, I love it!
It’s true Steven, on my first puff of a cigarette I coughed and coughed but chose to blatantly ignore what my body was telling me and puffed away on cigarettes for years and years and right now I cannot but wonder how many other times have I chosen to ignore my body over the years. If we all started to listen to our body I have a feeling the health and well-being of us all collectively would turn around and with our escalating health statistics and general disharmony in the world around us intensifying, this is without a a doubt a sensible thing for us all to do.
In a world heavily focused on what you do, Universal Medicine stands out as a beacon of light simply because everything they do is about people first – it’s who you are that matters. They other way to live is very painful and feels empty, which is focusing on what we do, achieve and are recognised for, yet it’s so prolific. I’m not sure how something that so profoundly doesn’t work is so widespread, yet we’ve all accepted living in a way that doesn’t value who you are. Time for a change!
What you share is so true Melinda, when we value what we do over the quality that we bring it cannot but erode our sense of self-worth and self confidence.
This world is so blessed to have a “handyman” like Serge Benhayon. From putting out chairs at an event with the most delicate touch, to presenting short courses to long courses with no note in sight, what Serge brings to this world, for me, is almost beyond words; he doesn’t demand allegiance, never judges, treats everyone equally so, and never tells anyone what to do, it always come back to your choice to make a change, or not.
I love your very real and down to earth sharing Steve of your experience of meeting Serge Benhayon and how making the choices you have has changed your life. I never get tired of reading the miraculous transformations that take place when people commit to living more loving choices in their life after being inspired by what Universal Medicine presentations… powerful stuff indeed.
It is very very beautiful to hear a man expressing in this way. We need a lot more honesty like this in this world given the fact there are so many lies and so much illusion most a choosing to live with
We do what we do because we like to think we know no other way but now we have someone in our midst who is showing us a truly harmonious way of living. No excuses now.
I love how you don’t always have to know something to be true in the mind to know it is a truth and your experience shows that it is actually something we feel deep inside us
“In a world of un-truths, the truth is like a snowflake in a coal pile.” Agreed, that’s how we know when we’ve found it again, great blog Steve.
How many of us work in the maintenance department of a prison we construct for ourselves and are not aware of it? The day people realise that we work hard to keep ourselves locked in, a revolution will take place.
No matter from what walk of life we are from we know what is true and what is not.
Like a snow flake on a pile of coal, everyone has this undeniable atunement to what they want life to be about, and not.
Steve, how refreshing to read your blog, thankyou I really enjoyed your unique way of expressing things and travelling along with you as you shared your journey. The reason why Universal Medicine has been such a success for those attending is because we are reminded so clearly and simply that everything is our choice. It’s all about our own relationship to ourselves and our body – that cannot be prescribed. It’s up to us and that’s why Serge Benhayon’s presentations are so powerful, because the true power to change must come from within. And with love as the foundation, this can then happen very easily even though it has its challenges. Brilliant to read your story, I hope you will write again.
“If I were never to see or associate with anyone associated with Universal Medicine again, I would not change anything in my life I currently do, because everything has been my choice” – me too.
“I thought I was doing alright for being in my early 50s. I was coasting in life just fine.” Steve, what your post has highlighted for me is what we are prepared to accept as an average, comfortable and generally ok lifestyle when its so clearly not. You’ve given me pause to reflect back on my own life and how transparently abusive it actually was yet, I considered it normal. When you’re lost the ‘unimposing’ Serge Benhayon, is a very ‘handy man’ to have around to set your course for home. As you say: “At the end of that day I knew that I was home. I do not now remember what he presented, but knew it for the truth that it was. In a world of un-truths, the truth is like a snowflake in a coal pile.”
Definitely Rowena, I agree. Steve’s blog is very entertaining, very honest, very relatable and true. It is GOLD!
I love your blog Steve, so honest, humorous, light hearted and inspiring. I absolutely love everything you’ve shared. I found myself wanting to read more and more.
Great blog Steve, “If I were never to see or associate with anyone associated with Universal Medicine again, I would not change anything in my life I currently do, because everything has been my choice.”- i can totally agree with this one.. I feel too good not to continue. more and more progresses along the way.
“In a world of un-truths, the truth is like a snowflake in a coal pile.” touched me deeply and unexpected. It is so true and or at least that is how I have perceived the world and life for a long time until I was presented with the truth by Serge Benhayon, could immediately recognise the truth by just knowing and re-build a relationship with truth in my life. Today it is quite natural to know what is of truth and what is not (constant work in progress) and I am also able to recognise truth that is buried under heaps of other stuff without being affected too much by the ‘the coal pile’. When we are not able to see and relate to truth anymore we give up on life. Universal Medicine presents the truth we all carry inside but have lost connection with and trust into. Time to come back to one´s own inner truth.
Steve this is such a simple and honest blog that says it as it is, that you now live the life you do based on choices that support your body, rather than disregard it. What an awesome way to be!
What a great blog Steve thank you for sharing it, your journey is one of inspiration to be your self and be willing to look deeper at your self and the choices we make.
There is a realness in this story, a down to earth, everyday-ness that can show everybody how possible change really is. Isn’t it amazing that one man, in his fullness and deep connection to his deepest heart, can inspire so many people to make the changes that they otherwise felt were too hard or just impossible?
I loved your blog Steve very entertaining, I love your sense of humour and the laid back style. The first time I saw Serge Benhayon he was carrying a garbage bin, he looked at me and smiled and I felt met like never before. 🙂
Beautifully expressed and written, I loved the playful honesty and humour Steve.
When you said;
‘In a world of un-truths, the truth is like a snowflake in a coal pile.’
This sentence was gold, and so true, I love it: with so much false and untrue new age and spiritual stuff out there, it was amazing to stumble upon Universal Medicine and the truth Serge Benhayon brings.
Steve, the choice to be open to what you felt from your first Universal Medicine workshop onwards is something to be appreciated by both yourself and the readers! Serge Benhayon has always asked students not to blindly copy something he has said, but instead to act because we can feel for ourselves through our connection to our bodies what feels right. This is then the ‘evidence’ of what is true for us individually. Your story demonstrates just how powerful it is when we are able to do just that. Thank you!
‘In a world of un-truths, the truth is like a snowflake in a coal pile’ – Stunning… and exactly what Universal Medicine presents – hundreds of exquisite snowflakes.
Steve I really liked this. Tells the tale of how diverse universal medicine is and how it is for anyone, being doctors or dirt farmers…It’s all up to us.
This part was super to the point ‘Nicotine by itself is a Class A Poison, you would not drink it… but it’s ok to smoke it? ‘
What a lovely sharing here Steve. This is beautiful to read how you simply came along and listened to what Serge Benhayon had to share, and how your life has unfolded in a beautiful new direction, full of truth and appreciation and a love for yourself. Yes, we are all the same, because we are not what we do. What we do comes much after who we actually are.
Love the honesty of your expression Steve, you have made the choices for your life and they feel amazing! At the end of the day it all comes back to our choices and to feel what is true for each of us. What I love about your story and so many I have read, is that you have chosen to live from your truth, not because you were told to but because you felt that this is the only way to truly live!
Steve thankyou for sharing honestly your experiences. I love the sentence about everything has been your choice and you would continue to make more self-caring choices even if we’re not part of Universal Medicine.
Great Blog Steve, it is great that you share your first experience of Serge Benhayon, he is nothing special only if he was not the amazing man he is, sharing his knowing with us all to find in our selves again.
You made me laugh Steve Matson! So playful in your description of how you have been inspired to change your life. You can tell that you have definitely been the one making all the choices and taking control of your life.
I love your honesty and down to earth story, Steve. I love the analogy of ‘the truth is like a snowflake in a coal pile’ and Serge Benhayon and Universal Medicine certainly stands out as clearly as that for me, as they confirm all my inner knowing.
Beautiful Steve. I loved the line about truth being as a snow flake, and that you (as am I) are a forever student!
Great story Steve, have you considered the Before & After project?
Thank you Steve and Alison, the stark difference between a pile of coal and a snowflake is mirrored in the before and after photos of the Students of the Livingness. When the truth is finally found it shines a light on the stark difference from what life was like before the presentations of Universal Medicine and Serge Benhayon.
Thank you Steve for sharing how you found Universal Medicine and how the changes you have made in your life are ‘allowing me to be amazing in a world that is not.’ So simple yet so true.
I used to think that I loved my self and brought very much attention to doing and buying things for me. Looking back I must say that the majority was simply distracting me from the fact that deep down inside I did not like myself at all.
All that Serge Benhayon presented at the first course that I attended felt so absolutely right and true and easily accessible, yet the idea of loving myself for who and what I am made me struggle – mainly because I wanted me to be perfect, compared myself to others and put up many conditions that had to be met before I thought I could really love me. I was quite barking up the wrong tree.
Now I realize more and more that I already am indeed very very precious and amazing and that there is something to love and celebrate about me every day – or even in every moment.
Most beautiful: what I am counts, not what I do.
Steve I love the way you have so matter of fact, bluntly told your story. Your first account of meeting Serge Benhayon was like reading a love story. A real love at first sight experience. ” In a world of un-truths, the truth is like a snowflake in a coal pile.” And your life has been touched.
Steve I have just loved reading your article. I love how you shared so honestly how you were living your life and felt pre Unimed… truth delivered with humour is music for the soul. I also have say, you are definitely amazing in a world that is not!!
This is a great blog to show how simple it is to turn your life around if you really put your attention and your commitment towards it. A great point I picked up is that more often then not we don’t recognize that there is in fact another way to live. Many people think that eating bad food, being inactive and consuming toxins (cigarettes and alcohol and even drugs) is actually normal. The reason why we think this is normal is because this is what we grow up with around us on TV, in magazines, movies and even famous sports people. Thank God there are people like Serge Benhayon and now also Steve Matson who are willing to choose another way, a healthy and honouring way of living that is much more complete and satisfying and inspiring for others.
Beautiful story Steve. It is always refreshing hearing where were people before choosing to associate themselves with Universal Medicine and the amazing transformations that follow discovering and accepting the power of choice in our daily life.
Honest, funny, down to earth and what a shift and transformation in your life…”If I were never to see or associate with anyone associated with Universal Medicine again, I would not change anything in my life I currently do, because everything has been my choice. I do continue to associate with Universal Medicine and to grow more in myself, allowing me to be amazing in a world that is not. Now, that is a choice!” I am with you on this, with or without Universal Medicine I have made choices for myself and I can not see this changing because I feel more myself which is precious and my body says Thank you for looking after it!
Top blog Steve and I agree, there is not one ounce of imposition from Serge Benhayon. This is a great line ” In a world of un-truths, the truth is like a snowflake in a coal pile.” This sums up Universal Medicine and Serge Benhayon perfectly.
Thanks for sharing your story Steve. It reminds me of the first Universal Medicine workshop that I – reluctantly – attended. I cannot recall exactly what was said but I knew I had found what I hadn’t realised I was looking for. I had found truth and suddenly everything started to make sense and I no longer felt lost.