Debbie Corrigan's words

Here is the paragraph that Debbie Corrigan ( who was the MC at the ceremony) read out.
It is from "Eight Steps to Happiness' by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso.
It is a commentary to the great Buddhist mind training text "Eight Verses of Training the Mind" by Geshe Langri Tangpo written almost a thousand years ago: p 52 in Chapter "Learning to Cherish Others"

"Cherishing our neighbours and the people in our local area will naturally lead to harmony in the community and society at large, and this will make everyone happier. We may not be a well-known or powerful figure, but if we sincerely cherish everyone we meet we can make a profound contribution to our community. This is true even for those who deny the value of religion. There are some people who do not believe in past or future lives or in holy beings but who nevertheless try to give up self-concern and work for the benefit of others. This is a very positive attitude that will lead to good results.
If a schoolteacher cherishes his or her students, and is free from self-concern, they will respect him and learn not only the subject he teaches but also the kind and admirable qualities he demonstrates. Such a teacher will naturally influence those around him in a positive way, and his presence will transform the whole school. It is said that there exists a magic crystalthat has the power to purify any liquid in which it is placed. Those who cherish all living beings are like this crystal - by their very presence they remove negativity from the world and give back loving kindness."