What evidence and pressure is there in society against us
acknowledging how amazing we are - about loving ourselves first, about
being our own best friend?
Examples of this, and stories, please

can yopu say Narcissist?

Now having said that prior commenyt let me add "Pride goeth before a
fall" or something close(bible class is 50 years in my past)is
probably a good place to start looking for the chains that hold us to
the earth-spiritually and physically- The priests had no power except
the terrible, fearsome God or Gods only they could summon or repel or
at least appease ( the virgin over the edge thing)so you go with what
ya got. And it stuck. (I hate it when that happens.)But that
philosophy started with Plato and the rest. It's our mission in life
to better ourselves. Above all else that mind set garners success.So
you can't get all cocky and arrogant and expect people to understand
that you think you are a perfect being etc etc. But the bottom line
for me personally is When you do and think and feel GOOD and POSITIVE
about yourself(rationally now)you will have a good day and so will the
people around you. Check it out dude...........

Try Party of One - The Loner's Manifesto

It's about how society looks down on "loners," even though loners may
be perfectly happy with who they are, and prefer not to be around the
masses. I sense borderline eliteism (not wanting to be around
commoners - those average soles who drink 8 beers every night and
cheer loudly over stupid things).

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1569245134/103-0570919-8199851?v=glance