I came across this exercise on Nicholas Powiull's blog several months back and it TOTALLY amazed me!!
See if this exercise increases your faith in what your mind can actually do (or if it shows you any inkling as to what control our thoughts actually have over what we do - or don't do):
http://consciousflex.blogspot.com/2008/01/your-brain-does-not-know-difference-by.html