It's easy to get so caught up in the moment and getting on with your life that you forget to say "thanks."

I was in the bathroom today in San Diego. While in the stall, I heard a phone drop. I didn't know it was mine, however. When I got out to wash my hands, the women next to me, coming out of her stall yelled to all who could hear, "I found someone's phone! Did someone lose their phone?"

Sure enough, the phone lost was my brand new iPhone XR, that I got for Christmas. Feeling relieved, I quickly said, "Oh, that's mine!" and took the phone. I honestly thought that I muttered, "thanks," but maybe not. That's because normally, I don't forget to say "thanks." Normally, I am polite and considerate. But we all have our moments.

So I stuck my phone in my pocket, I washed my hands, and as she was walking out, another woman who had witnessed my retrieving my lost phone said to me, "You could have at least thanked her!"

I immediately felt my face go red and felt angry! I wondered who this woman thought she was, saying that to someone she doesn't even know. I knew that I would never say anything like to someone. So why'd she have to embarrass me like that?

But now I understand. Generally, people think more about themselves than others. Even people who do care a lot about others, still are caught up in their material needs and wants. You know that feeling of panic because you lost your phone, even if you're at the midst of a fun get-together, and you ruin the mood inevitably because you can't find your phone? Yes, you most likely know that feeling very well. We all need our social media 24/7.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that expressing gratitude isn't always the first thing we think of doing, but it should be. She didn't know me and yet she still took the time to give me my phone back. So from this day forward, I strive to never forget to say "thank you." Even to strangers.