Mindfulness is a state of present awareness; focusing attention on the now. We observe our sensory experience of what is, without judgement, without trying to change that experience, without trying to avoid it. We simply become the observer, the witness to what is. You can achieve this state of awareness through meditation.
As we begin to meditate we usually become distracted by our thoughts or by other things that attract our attention. This is perfectly normal and can happen very quickly within minutes or even seconds of beginning to meditate. The idea of meditation isn’t to empty your mind or stop thoughts from occurring. Thinking is what your mind is ‘hardwired’ to do.
The aim is to bring your attention back to the present moment as soon as you notice your mind has wandered. We do this by choosing something to anchor our attention on to, usually our breath, but it can by body sensations, the light from a candle, whatever is helpful.