A friendly thought for you:

If your beliefs can change your body (which is part of the universe), and your changed body can further change the universe…

then transitively… your beliefs can change the universe, right?

And if that is true, then perhaps belief can be more than a placebo… Maybe it is a real, effective, psychological muscle.

Be honest:

Who do you think is more likely to hit the game-winning free-throw?

• a guy who looks at the hoop thinking “aw crap I’m gonna airball, and everyone is gonna laugh at me”
• a guy who looks at the hoop thinking “okay I’m gonna swish this, and my whole team is going to celebrate”

Many top-achievers describe the power of visualizing success (positive manifestation).

Many people who pray are cultivating healthy virtues (patience, kindness, strength).

Have you ever heard the term “self-fulfilling prophecy”?