How does a bitcoin transaction become confirmed?

As a curious observer of the cryptocurrency landscape, I'm fascinated by the mechanics behind how a bitcoin transaction gains confirmation. Could you explain, in layman's terms, the process that takes a bitcoin transaction from its initial state to a confirmed state? I understand it involves miners and the blockchain, but I'm interested in a step-by-step breakdown of the key components involved. What role does mining difficulty play? How does the network determine which transactions are prioritized? And ultimately, how can I ensure my transactions are quickly and securely confirmed?