Journey of Self-Awareness

Kaiser Permanente, Northern California

Caritas in ActionHow Caring Science informs and inspires KP caregivers and affirms our commitment to provide our

patients and their families exceptional care

Caritas Consortium 2013Journey of Self-Awareness

Intent to Contribute Statement:

Purpose: My purpose was to experience the unknown by being open to my previously unknown artistic gifts.

Project Description: I started my Caritas Coach Program Learning Activity Guides (LAGs) after returning from

Boulder, and began the process of preparing for my mother’s breast cancer surgery. There were also major changes

in my job. The LAG’s were more invasive than I was prepared for, and for a while I was not inclined to do them. The

opportunity to do something I’d never done before presented itself and I decided to enroll in a painting class. I

started painting after returning home. I was painting 3-5 pieces every 3 days! I painted all hours of the day and

night. Through the reading and writing assignments, I found that I was fighting the process of opening up and

dealing with issues that I tried to hide from myself. My artwork released hidden emotions and I discovered that I

could no longer be a victim! I had to look at how I participated in, manipulated, and deluded myself into believing

my story! I had to forgive myself and the people I blamed. As I accepted responsibility for my actions, I felt the shift

in my spirit as my soul was satisfied and my heart was opened through the miracle of the art!

Journey of Self-Awareness

Con’t:

Project Outcome: Today, I have 82 paintings created in 4 months!!! The outcome of the project to date is the

beautiful paintings that reflect my journey to self-awareness. It has also empowered me to be a role model, to

guide, educate and empower others on the difficult journey to self-awareness thru the expressions of art. Everyone

has been impressed with the quantity and quality of my work. My art teacher calls me a natural. James Gayles, an

Emmy awarding winning artist from Oakland calls me rare and prolific! I have a gallery showing on August 30, 2012.



1 Names as listed in Lotus Notes, otherwise personal e-mails indicated

Keyword TAGs: Identifier

Consortium2013-July, East Bay, Oakland, Poster, Caritas Coach, Patient Care Services

Healing Modalities, Self

Descriptor Healing Arts, Self-Care

Inspired Contributor(s) 1 : Angela Simms – Caritas Coach

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Service Area: East Bay

Medical Center: OAK

Affiliation: PCS

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Year Shared: 2013

Venue: Caritas Consortium

Format: Poster

ID #: n/a

Angela’s Exhibit at Caritas Consortium

Angela’s Exhibit at Caritas Consortium

Angela presented this painting as a

gift of appreciation and inspiration to

Jean Watson

Journey of Self-Awareness

Health & Medicine

Transcript of Journey of Self-Awareness