In spite of all the reasons this blog offers to be happy you are living in Lake Oswego, sometimes happiness is more of an inside job. That’s why Lake Oswego resident Sandi Serling Zimmerman is hosting a conference on Saturday, October 3, called, “Activating Happy” to teach audience members how to rewire their brains to see the glass as half full more often than not.

Zimmerman has had a good life, but four years ago both her parents, residents of Lake Oswego, passed away in a period of four months. It was a challenging time for her and she admits, “It was hard to find my happy space.” Luckily her path crossed with Brad Pendergraft, a Portland-based therapist who bills himself as “Brain Coach Brad.” He mentored her, teaching her how her brain works, and showing her ways to pull herself out of what Zimmerman calls “the rabbit hole of negativity.”

Once she learned how to deal with life’s stresses more effectively, she felt a need to pass it on. With the support of Pendergraft and Lake Oswego Library Program Coordinator Cyndie Glazer behind her, and the domain name Activating Happy available, she started lining up speakers on topics like mindfulness and meditation, energy work and self compassion.

What does Zimmerman hope audience members will gain from attendance? “I can guarantee that people will walk away with at least three strategies that they can apply to their lives so they can enjoy more happiness and experience less stress,” she explains.

The conference will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Lakewood Center for the Arts, 368 S. State Street. Tickets at $57 per person are limited and must be purchased in advance online. A growing list of sponsors for the event include Lake Oswego Public Library, Umpqua Bank, Starbucks Lake Grove, Zupan’s, Office Products Nationwide and Viva! Events.

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