leaping for no reason

On my way to work, I pass an area populated with the occasional deer. It isn't too often but I have seen them in the bushes, by the canal. This morning - I saw a young female in the field. She was crossing a fence and so she leaped into the air. And then...without any reason, she kept leaping. Leaping and striding - lifting her strong legs in a joyful bound. She leapt again and again across the field.

She had not seen me. She was not leaping in fear.

There were no other deer ahead of her. She was not leaping to try and catch up.

She was not in danger. She was not leaping to get away from something.

She was leaping for no reason.

And it occurred to me - that is what I am missing. I've only been leaping when I'm told to, when I'm compelled to, when I'm forced to. I need to leap just for the pure joy of leaping. I need to leap to remember I can. I need to leap so that I can feel like I'm flying - even if its only for a moment.

Leap for no reason.