As we become aware of our conscious thought processes, we are able to make choices in our lives.
The biggest impact of conscious thought and conscious living is becoming aware that the notion we have of being in control is just an illusion. When we really look at it, it becomes apparent that our life is run by our past memories replaying - unless we consciously choose to clear the memories by going to the Divine within us and asking for these painful memories to be cleared.
It is then that instead of being driven to continually replay past memories that occur to us as thought, we can now come from a place of infinite possibilities, and allow inspiration to flow through us.
Our state then determines if we experience love and gratitude and peace and freedom, and if we are acting from these. When painful memories are replaying and driving our thoughts then we are blaming and critical and behave like a victim.
Conscious thought allows us to start to see these patterns and to start to make choices around them. Until you are aware of a pattern running in your life there is no sense of having a choice around it. Once you are conscious then it is your responsibility to choose.
This is illustrated beautifully in the book A Life Like Yours, where the protagonist Sam increases his awareness and chooses conscious living. He experiences the release of a burden being lifted, and a sense of freedom and peace opens up in his life. Spiritual book "A Life Like Yours" is available at my main site