I wish you the best on your journey, and when in repose consider a moment of thankfulness to even the people who left you alone *because* of their external orientation...toward*your* well-being.
Myself? I often enjoy the companionship of fools for while it may not be good, it does beget wisdom. "For I am conscious that I am not wise either much or little. What then does it [the Delphic oracle] mean declaring that I am the wisest? - Socrates in Plato's Apology 21b
For those that found this touching, here's some practical tips on this topic I saw today
http://www.dumblittleman.com/2009/09/master-art-of-listening-and-watch-all.html