Old Happy: "They are lying to please me." New Happy: “They are telling the truth to help me."

You believe the negative words they speak. So why don't you believe the positive ones? When you think about it, it's completely irrational behavior: you either trust them or you don't, and if you do trust them, then why would you question their kindnesses?

Deep down, you might not believe that you actually deserve their kind words. If that's the case, here's a perspective shift I'd like you to consider trying on: sometimes, other people can see you more clearly than you can see yourself.

Prove this to yourself by thinking about one of your own friends or loved ones who does not see their own strengths. They fret about their appearance—but all you see is their beauty. They dismiss their contributions—but all you see is their impact. You try so hard to get through to them ("You're wonderful, you're gorgeous, you're doing so well!") and yet they never seem to really hear you.

Could the same be true for you? Perhaps those people offering you compliments are trying to help you see yourself. Perhaps you just need to trust them. Perhaps you need to let their words in so that you can start to feel, deep down, that you are deserving of their kindness. Because that is the truth—you are.