The word “meditation” has never felt comfortable to me. I have friends who swear by it, and I like the concept, but I’m not very good at being still, physically or mentally. I’m always on the go. But as we head into the weekend, I’m going to embrace meditation — or at least try — and I’m inviting you to do the same.

Join 7,000 people who have successfully completed the Meditation for Beginners course at DailyOM. Learn more here.

• 4 Crucial Concepts That Helped When I Struggled With Meditation

• How I Became a Mindfulness Convert

• 5 Strategies That Can Help You Overcome Meditation Roadblocks

Of all the stories I’ve read on The Mighty about meditation, Joe Hinksman’s resonated most with me because he was honest about how much he struggled with it and explained how he overcame those obstacles.

Here are the four crucial concepts he lays out, in his own words:

To date, I’ve learned a few crucial concepts about meditation that I did not understand before. Most days, I am now able to start my morning with a short block of relative peace, in a much calmer and more constructive way than I was ever able to before. I’d like to share a few of these with you:

1. Beginner meditation is not about achieving a certain state, or fixing the way I feel.
It is about taking stock in how I feel, noticing what my mind is doing in the background, and exploring what my default set-point emotional state is upon awakening or throughout the day.

2. What in the hell am I thinking?
The second I open my eyes, am I obsessing over commitments that need to get done today, in an hour, or in five hours? Or work that didn’t get done yesterday? Or work I’ll need to do tomorrow? Is it serving me to generate anxiety about tomorrow or regret about yesterday?

3. How am I feeling right now?
Chances are, if I direct my focus to my body, there will probably be some pain and some discomfort at any given time. I direct my attention to my breath and calm myself to the best of my current ability. This is my time to show compassion and love for my body and express some gratitude, because it is doing the best it can and it deserves my love. This is also my time to forgive myself for my long-conditioned set-point. For right now, I will be grateful. I will accept this moment as it is, and I will allow myself this time to love me for me, and to just be.

4. My favorite theme for beginner meditation is forgiveness and gratitude.
As Albert Einstein once said: “We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.” I must convince my stubborn self that this will take time, a lifetime even, and that’s OK. If my mind wanders from my breath, I gently bring it back and try not to judge myself. If I find I can’t sit still, then I’ll shuffle a bit and do whatever works. The point is, I am at where I am at, and even if where I am at changes, the fact remains.

What I have found over the last year or so of practicing meditation is that it is still uncomfortable a lot of the time, and that’s OK. I didn’t become depressed, anxious, compulsive, addicted, or chronically ill overnight, so consistency is the key here. Easy does it.

Thank you, Joe. Those are great tips. Who wants to join me in the Meditation for Beginners course on DailyOM? Loads of reviews like Sonia’s have convinced me to try it: “This has been a very eye-opening experience. I had tried meditation before but these guidelines have been essential. Thank you!”

I love that they allow you to decide what you pay for it too. Learn more here.

Enjoy your weekend! See you back here next week.

Mike