The power we've given to other people to injure us

We isolate because we are attempting to insulate ourselves from being hurt by the thoughtlessness or sometimes even intentional words of others.  Hypocrisy.  I could have that conversation with someone I've developed a friendship with - but not if I haven't taken the time to build some bridges of trust.  So the question is, do I invite and initiate friendships in order to develop safe avenues for those types of conversations or do I continue to isolate and hope I never experience pain from others' words or the assumed meanings I see behind them?

Pondering this today...
Susan