Maybe not in so many words, but I get the distinct impression that many social, political, religious and philosophical institutions and traditions are trying to tell us that self-hatred and self-worship are the only two options available (other than their slick formula for a happy life of course). 

Perhaps it's because they're afraid that we won't know what to do with our lives if we're actually set free to think for our selves. Well, I have begun to think for my self, and I'd prefer to take a more level-headed approach to life than either of these personally and socially manipulative and intellectually bankrupt methodologies. 

Where the histories of politics, societies, religion and philosophy have offered us something helpful and worthwhile for our health and well-being, I want to acknowledge it and embrace it to the fullest extent. However, where they have failed us, I want to separate my self and my life from them as far as possible. 

Which is better; to shame my self for stupid things I might think or say or do at times or to be so arrogant as to think I know the "Truth" while ignoring the facts of nature and science and  losing sight of reality altogether by knowingly and deliberately substituting fantasy for reality? 

I'd rather give my self the benefits of compassion and critical thinking than to either unhealthily criticize my self or to give my self the 'benefit of the doubt'. I won't let other people do my thinking for me or jump on the next bandwagon of popular philosophy to come to town either though. 

So, in a context of love and compassion for self and others and critical thinking about everything that comes my way, I will continue to seek a better understanding of my self, other people and the world in which I actually live while genuinely attempting to maintain an open, honest and real appraisal of the nature of my own worldview. 

This way, I can genuinely and wholeheartedly love my self without adopting a delusional attitude of self-worship. Also, I can be totally open, honest and real about my life and take personal responsibility for my own actions without falling into the darkness self-hatred.