Lisa ,
Everyone's mind wanders when they begin meditation.
Even advanced practitioners will find themselves thinking about the daily chores .bills, whatever.
Maybe that is why it is called a practice...cause you never really finish

However even in a 10 or 30 minute session when I feel my brain has been all over the place ,I still feel a lighter spirit at the end.

We are all scattered sometimes..
We all have thousands of thoughts going through our heads every minute.
To calm that process is not an overnight deal.
The longer you do it the easier it is to get to that place

Having said that , you will be amazed at how little will give you back so much ,so it really can't hurt to try.
It is one of the least expensive forms of pain management available to us and so many just knock it off the list.
There have been so many studies on it's positive effects on chronic pain.

The beginners way is to try and take 10 minutes out every morning and evening to just do it.
That is not asking too much .
Make it a habit.
You will be amazed at the returns.

Oh yeah and read those non mumbo jumbo books

Good luck and much peace

GnP