for me, the key is, if i act the way *i* believe all should, and am true to myself, i win, no matter what others think... the whole "do unto others" bit. ridiculed? humiliated? how can you be either, unless you value others' opinions more than your own? embarrassment comes from your judgement of yourself, based on others' values, what they think of you. accept who you are, and accept that others are entitled to think differently, and embarrassment should disappear. as for coming up with your own plan, i see nothing wrong with incorporating others' examples with your own, as long as it is completely you. seems silly to throw an idea by the wayside, just because someone else already thought of it/did it...