I am deserving of everything happy that comes my way in life.

Pay someone a compliment and count how long it takes them to spoil it. *This old thing.* *It was mostly the team.* *We got lucky with the weather.* Two seconds, usually, and the good thing has been handed straight back.

Deflection feels like modesty and functions like a refusal. It also makes the other person's kindness slightly awkward to have offered in the first place.

The alternative is unglamorous and briefly uncomfortable: say thank you, then stop talking. Let it stay where it landed. Everything happy that comes your way still needs somebody at the door to take delivery.