They say character is what you do when no one is around. BUT, what if you act more like yourself when there are others around you to interact with? What dies it really mean, "when no one is looking"? What is there really to do if you are more of a people person? What if you don't like being alone? Or you are trying to be better about a trait and practice on others? Don't most trait or qualities that we want deal with other people? Charity involves others, Service- to one another, Humility- wouldn't be needed if there is no one around, Compassion- to who else? You? If it is thoughts you mean, and you are trying to be better about it, why wouldn't you try to spend more time with others then alone to let them run or exhaust yourself trying to control them? That also goes back to the 'line' In this situation, if someone asks for patience, what do they receive? Patience? Nope. They get situations to practice it. Now, if they were to run away from those situations, would they learn anything?