Fairfield Station is hands down the best train station in Melbourne. Ok, well I do admit these ten fingers haven’t been to every train station in Melbourne, so it’s fair to say this statement is based merely on my experience and not that of the rest of Melbourne. But as far as commuting goes, I’m glad when I need to train it anywhere, Fairfield is my choice.

What makes Fairfield so special? There’s no question it’s the fabulous station hosts, Stephen and Sharon. They organise book swaps, garden makeovers, ramp up the music while you wait and always have a smile and genuine willingness to help.

On an overcrowded platform with yet another train delay, it’s about community.

For a change, I can’t blame Metro for missing my train. Instead, I think word has got out about how good our hosts are, and the ever increasing limitations on car parks saw me walking for 20 minutes to get to the station.

Knowing I was going to miss a scheduled appointment, I made a call to let the clinic know I would be late, had a quick chat with Sharon about the limited car parks and sat back…. on a nice warm blanket.

It’s the little touches.

With another 20 minutes until the next train, I plugged in to this week’s Mindful in May meditation. The autumn chill sucked deep into my diaphragm, soon kickstarted the para-sympathetic (the rest and reset) nervous system and over the next ten minutes, I let the tension from the long walk and missed train disappear down the train line… back to Hurstbridge with you. You’re not coming to the city with me.

As the next train pulled in and I yelled a big thanks for the blanket with an equally big smile in return, I realised how mindful Stephen and Sharon were about their jobs and the station, as well as the consequence of a happy commuter community.

To you both, thank you for the blanket. And thank you for showing how being mindful of the little touches, really does make a huge difference in someone’s day.

Whose mood will you shift with a blanket?

you bloody ripper!