Thoughts are choices. My destiny will be a result of what I have chosen to think, good or bad.
That is the theme of my spiritual work and the goal of my meditation practice. But I don’t think it’s as simple as it sounds. Things arise in my mind seemingly out of nowhere, with no stimuli that I am aware of, often distracting me from the thing I am doing. Sometimes, when am I thinking about nothing in particular, a problem or a worry will arrive from my memory file drawer. My emotional nature is fearful, prompting thoughts that can affect my mood and outlook in a negative way. Once in a while, though more rarely, a joyful, grateful notion will arise in my mind and remain, a good mood, a feeling of enlightenment.
So it’s not that thoughts are voluntary, it’s the opposite. Some thoughts, ideas or musings arise from subconscious (or unconscious) emotional prompts, in turn provoking speech or action that is critical or destructive. My choice when this happens is simple: to immediately consider things that will inspire hope and gratitude. That is voluntary. When beautiful thoughts arise it is best just to smile and say Thank you.
Nick Hilton - Reflections 