​Bundle of Thoughts

After two and a half decades on this planet, something has become insanely evident, which has been bothering and amusing simultaneously. The something is what we as individuals allow to have power over us and dictate our path in life. Power has several definitions but, in this context, it is related to control and influence, especially at an individual level. Specifically, what are the explicit drives or intentions behind your actions, behaviours, and desires? In other words, being aware of where our desires originate from can be as beneficial as fulfilling them. For example, where does our desire for wealth or riches derive from? And why is it valued that much in our society?
 
The most puzzling aspect of our desires is that they are often not ours because they often develop due to societal and cultural influence, which to an extent is a method to get further up in social hierarchies. Social hierarchies can be described as social organizations where particular groups benefit from higher social status than others. However, the pursuit of this is not entirely negative but requires a level of awareness because climbing the social ladder unconsciously might have ramifications. Hence, I am asking what have influenced our desires? Also, what do we get by achieving or receiving our desires?