Alienation can arise from a failure to clearly perceive the world. Overly defensive people often ascribe all sorts of sinister motives even to those who would be their friends. This kind of thinking obviously leads to isolation. All that is necessary to reverse this kind of cycle is to observe the world more closely, without prejudice. And, deep inside, to admit your past mistake. This can lead to an increase in self-esteem, which may strike at the root of the problem.
Those who think well of others tend to think well of themselves.
