Joseph Peter creates handmade “Books of Happiness” in what he calls the Happiness Factory at the intersection of Bleecker and Lafayette Streets in Manhattan. Individual works of art, he sells the books and donates a portion of the proceeds to charity, proclaiming that they can generate an “energy field of happiness.”

I can’t vouch for that but I do know the sign on his door brought a lingering smile to my face:

“WARNING: You are now entering an energy field of happiness. You will leave happier. We are not responsible for any loss of unhappiness.”

It also left me with the resolve to generate (and share) my own energy field of happiness.

Closing quotes:

“He who has so little knowledge of human nature as to seek happiness by changing anything but his own disposition will waste his life in fruitless efforts.” — Samuel Johnson

“Happiness is an attitude. We either make ourselves miserable, or happy and strong. The amount of work is the same.” — Francesca Reigler

“Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine.” — Anthony J. D’Angelo, “The College Blue Book”

Source: The New York Times, Up Close by Spencer Morgan, July 20, 2011