It's quite a step for us to really be aware, to really be mindful of what is going on in our heads. It is a major step to doing something about it. It is a major step in watching how our attitudes and thoughts influence our behavior. In that sense it is an important part of meditation practice. Every time we wander off into thought and bring our mind back to practice we are strengthening our practice and becoming more focused. It is not till we recognize just how much our mind and thoughts are out of control that we find time and effort to reorient that process.