Christina Solstad - Spirit of Chaco Blog

Are You Dancing With Wild Abandon?

"Dance with wild abandon to the music within your heart."
This wonderful phrase awakened me from a lovely nap (as my writing often does), so I had to write it down and share it with you!

Seems music has been showing up for me on a regular basis these days - either literally or figuratively. Funny, because I have never considered myself musical.

I do love to play my Native American Indian wooden flute (not nearly often enough!), and had another flute player/flute maker tell me I play beautifully. So now, rather than saying I don't really know how to play, I am saying, Yes, I am a flute player! I play what I feel, what is in my heart.

Music, and especially playing it, opens up my senses, my heart, and my connection to Spirit.

I have never considered myself a dancer, either. In fact, I'm rather shy about it. Yet I had an opportunity recently to “dance with wild abandon,” with everyone doing their own thing, and it was so much fun! And there is always the “dancing in your living room with no one watching” kind of dancing. Who doesn't do that?!

Are you listening to what is in your heart, what bubbles up from your deepest self?  What do you do with what you hear? Why not follow it, and see what magic unfolds!

Related posts:

The Music Is All Around Us

Music at Chaco Canyon: Native American Flute

What If You Die With Your Music Still Within You?

90 Years Young and Still Going Strong

I am inspired by my Aunt Joy. She has been around for 90 glorious years, and is still going strong. Her entire extended family gathered recently for a grand weekend of celebration for her birthday.

That's her in pink in the photo (which includes only a portion of the clan). Four generations were represented. Can you pick out the youngest, her adorable great granddaughter?

Joy has had two wonderful marriages, and has outlived both husbands. Both are great love stories.

• The first, my Uncle Bob, she met after being sent away by her mother so she would come to her senses and realize her then-fiancee was not the right man for her. Instead, she met my uncle, they fell in love, and were married within a few weeks!
• She married her second when she was 80 or 81 and he was in his late 80s. She had nabbed the most eligible widower in her retirement community. The local newspaper did two big spreads on them: their wedding, on Valentine's Day, and a follow-up some time later. They were the talk of the town.

She feels completely blessed for all she has in her life. She's been through a lot too.

What's her secret? Here are some of my thoughts:

• She rolls with what life gives her, and makes lemonade from the lemons. She's been through bankruptcy, and losing two men she loves.
• She is full of appreciation. Every time I visit her, and everything I do for her, she is full of gratitude.
• She is accepting of others.
• She is always helping others. She is also good at allowing others to help her.
• She is clear what she wants.

Look like some pretty good life lessons to me. I'm sure my cousins, my mom (her sister), or other family members have things they can add.

So here's to you, Joy. Thanks for being such an inspiration to your family and friends!

What If You Die With Your Music Still Within You?

I realized a few years ago that a big fear of mine was dying with my “music” still within me, with all the feelings and thoughts and creativity bubbling up from my deepest self still unexpressed.

I no longer have that fear.

During a two- or three-year period many of those I loved - family, extended family, friends - died. My own mortality was staring me in the face, and urging me to take action now, for there was no way to know when my time would be up.

Since then I have been taking action (albeit slowly) on what I was hearing and feeling within - that I must write, and photograph, and create an online presence. What that would look like, I didn't know. But the feeling was strong, passionate, and I followed it, in my own way.

At times it seemed unlikely I would get anywhere, as I was working way too hard making a living, and had nothing left at the end of the day for creativity. And those who knew me took my intent and words with a grain of salt.

And, truthfully, I was afraid. What if I was no good? What if no one cared? But inside I also knew that didn't matter. I needed to do this (without really knowing what “this” was), regardless of what others thought.

So I took one slow step at a time. And I listened.

I no longer have that fear of dying with my music still within me. Wow!

I have a greater sense of peace because I am beginning to express what is within me, on this blog, in this new venue. Even those I have known my whole life are seeing aspects of me I have never before had a way to express.

I do it because I have to, because it is calling to me.

We all have our own unique gifts to share with the world, that, once expressed, will provide some sense of peace within. Are you expressing yours? If not, I urge you to begin - now.

Photo:  Moonrise near Casa Rinconada

Related post:  The Music Is All Around Us

Braving the Summer Heat at Chaco - Tips to Stay Cool

Braving the summer heat to attend the summer solstice events at Chaco Canyon  is well worth it, as described in my previous posts: Why Attend Summer Solstice 2008 at Chaco? and Tips for a Fun Summer Solstice at Chaco.

Here are some tips to help you keep cool and make the most of a summer visit.

• Bring plenty of water. Your water containers can be refilled at two potable water spigots in the Chaco visitor center (VC) parking lot. Be sure to recycle your containers in the large bins in the VC parking lot.
• Always wear a good hat and sunscreen. The hot sun is relentless. Protect yourself.
• Hike early and late in the day - especially for the longer hikes.
• Seek the coolness of the VC during the hottest time of the day. You can browse the bookstore and museum, and watch informative movies about Chaco.
• Bring some shade for your campsite. My shade tarp/canopy (Sports Authority) makes a world of difference, and has made other campers envious. Stake it down well for the strong winds.
• Protect your food and water from the animals. The ravens are incredibly smart and mischievious.

• Keep food in solid, covered containers, with heavy rocks on top (they have gotten in to my covered containers).
• Cover/disguise plastic water containers. They will poke holes in them to get at the water.
• I have watched ravens show the younger birds how to get water and food from campsites!
• No food in your tents - unless you want holes in them!

• Pace yourself. The heat can drain your energy quickly.
• Do not leave heat-sensitive items in your vehicle. Temperatures rise quickly in a closed vehicle and can destroy electronic gear or meltable items.
• Use a well-insulated cooler, and fill with block ice or dry ice (lasts longer). I found a good one at Sports Authority. Try to keep in shaded portion of camp, like in shade of tent or picnic table or tarp. Ice can be purchased at Red Mesa convenience store and gas station on 550/44, where you turn onto CR 7900, then CR 7950, the north road into Chaco.

If you follow these tips, you will be able to enjoy your visit, despite the heat! Feel free to add others in a comment below.

Tips for a Fun Summer Solstice at Chaco

Now that you know why it might be worth attending summer solstice events at Chaco Canyon (see Why Attend Summer Solstice 2008 at Chaco?), here are some tips for making the most of your visit.

There are two main events you will want to attend:

1) Sunrise at Casa Rinconada

2) Acoma Dancers at Pueblo Bonito (three times during the day) (2008).

General

• Updates: For updated details, check the national park service web site, and once you arrive, check at the Chaco visitor center.
• Photos: Each pueblo differs on whether photos are allowed, so be respectful and ask before taking photos. We were fortunate to be able to take photos both years I attended: 2007 (Zuni) and 2006 (Hopi).
• Crowds: Keep in mind it could be crowded, so plan accordingly. We have had a large turnout in recent years. Thankfully, visitors have been respectful.

Sunrise at Casa Rinconada

(photo is at Casa Rinconada on summer solstice 2007)
 

• Ceremony: Confirm at the park web site or at the visitor center that visitors are welcomed on solstice. Each pueblo has their own ceremony, and visitors may or may not be allowed.
• Solstice alignment: even if you cannot attend the ceremony, the site will be opened early for a day or two before and after solstice so you can see the alignment of the possible solstice marker in the great kiva. Watch the sun rise, then shine through a window into one of the niches on the far wall.
• Arrive early. You don't want to miss the sunrise.
• Follow the instructions of the volunteers for parking and where to go. Stay on the trail.
• Be quiet and respectful. This is sacred time for the pueblo people. Kivas are their church. Act accordingly.

Dancers at Pueblo Bonito

(photo is of the Zuni dancers at Pueblo Bonito on summer solstice 2007)
 

• Remember, this is sacred for them. Be respectful.
• Follow the parking instructions, and stay on the designated trail.
• They are expected to dance in the great plaza at three times, for about 45 minutes: 11 am, 2 pm, 4 pm.
• Sun protection. Wear a hat and sunscreen.
• Bring plenty of water.
• Prepare for wind and heat (90 degrees F).
• Bring a blanket or towel to sit on (you will be on dirt).

Enjoy!! Look for me at both Casa Rinconada and Pueblo Bonito!

Why Attend Summer Solstice 2008 at Chaco?

Summer solstice events at Chaco Canyon are well worth attending, even with the extreme desert heat. The summer heat kept me away for many years, but now the opportunity to see the ancestors of the ancient Chacoans, the pueblo people, dance in the great plaza at Pueblo Bonito, brings me back. It is a special and sacred event - both for the dancers and for the visitors.

The people of Acoma Pueblo will be dancing this summer, on Saturday, June 21. Check the park web site and visitor center for details. The past two years I've had the pleasure of seeing the Zuni (2007) and the Hopi (2006) (see photo of dancers in Pueblo Bonito above). I enjoy it so much that I hope to attend every summer.

Why Attend?

The current pueblo people are the descendants of those who lived at Chaco Canyon 1000 years ago. As I explore the beautiful masonry structures they left behind, I imagine who lived here, what they looked like, what daily life was like.

Adding the missing element - people

The dancers at summer solstice add the missing element - the people - who were Chaco's heart and soul. For me, this time is magical. The sights, sounds, and feelings allow me to more fully experience Chaco.

Sacred time for dancers and visitors