[W]e are social beings, conceived, born, and raised in relationships. At the same time, we are separate physical and psychological entities. One response is a denial of isolation, over-involvement in organizations, selfless service, and enmeshed relationships. Another response is resignation to loneliness or rejection of people, snobbishness, or self-effacement to avoid the risk of rejection. A third and more creative response is a willingness to engage authentically with another in a world where one may likely get treated as an object – to reach out to another in spite of the possibility of rejection.
-Kirk J. Schneider and Orah T. Krug, Existential-Humanistic Therapy, p. 24.