Can you tell me a little bit about triggering thoughts?

When someone tells us they love us, we can feel loved so much easier than if they tell us they hate us. When a client tells us we are great at what we do, we feel confidence so much easier than if they huff and complain. I know it’s what we’re thinking and believing. It’s our thoughts ultimately, but the thoughts are triggered by the circumstance, no? It feels like the circumstance has some weight here… Can you speak to triggered thoughts a little more and explain what is happening here?