How did you determine your WHY (& what is it)?

[Michele V.]

Hi everyone, I'm very carefully hashing and re-hashing the reasons that I'm continually drawn to invest in real estate.  I have always been interested in it, and in some ways I am motivated by my desire to have many more options than I have right now.  Also, some years ago, my mother fell seriously ill and it helped that my new job advanced me 3 months of medical leave so that I could be with her.  But I want to be able to live without that job (grateful as I am to have it), and I want to be able to live in such a way that emergencies like that aren't a financial burden.   So that's another one of my whys.  

I recently read that your "why should make you cry."  That helped me clarify some things for myself.  But I'm wondering how some of you might have determined exactly what your why is.  (And, if you would like to share what it is, I'd love to read about it as well.)  Thanks.