Thought For The Day – Tuesday 21st April 2026
Dawn
Pictured above: T.B.S.H.S. this morning.
At this time of year, many students are working very hard. Good luck to Art and Languages students who will shortly commence their final examination campaign.
Last evening, the excellent “Bishop’s Stortford Public Library” was full of students revising for their important examinations. The focus, the cue cards, the notes, and the folders. The respectful, calm, and concentrated silence, with the occasional whispering collaboration.
Being able to work hard, to keep going, is a great quality in a person.
Of course, this needs to be combined with a healthy and holistic approach. This helps the work. Even more importantly, is supports the wellbeing of the person.
We do our very best, giving our all, looking after others and ourselves.
Every dawn we are granted provides a fresh and new opportunity to do good for ourselves and others.
A work ethic is also vitally demonstrated in adult life also as people devote their time and energy to their vocation, role, employment, and their families.
On this 100th anniversary of the birth of Queen Elizabeth II, someone who also demonstrated inspirational and lifelong devotion, duty and service, every home is a palace to someone, and every person can help and serve others.
In a statement to mark the centenary, King Charles III said: “Much about the times we now live in I suspect may have troubled her deeply, but I take heart from her belief that goodness will always prevail and that a brighter dawn is never far from the horizon.”
Hard work is seen internationally, nationally, and, lest we forget, locally.
Local history and roots matter. They are our history, identity, and story. They keep us grounded and humble.
It was interesting to recently discover that “Dawn’s Food Stores”, on London Road in Bishop’s Stortford, has only ever been closed for 3 days in 48 years. Other than on those 3 occasions, this family-owned and run business has been open 7 days a week through all this time.
“Dawn’s Food Stores” was founded by wife and husband, Dawn, a former town councillor, and Mohammad, who was welcomed to the United Kingdom from Pakistan, 48 years ago. 3 generations of their family were educated at T.B.S.H.S.. And still today.
The 3 occasions in 48 years when the shop has been closed have been to respect family members who has passed away from this life, one of which was co-founder Dawn herself twenty years ago today, when an understated, respectful, and polite notice was put on the shop door.
This itself was and is a reminder that, whilst hard work is essential, there are some things that are even more important than that.
