People beginning, people ending -- these are easy to be kind to, because they generally don't pose any existential threat to our own sense of self. It's that long middle that challenges us, holds up mirrors, makes us question and doubt and fight to justify our beliefs. So maybe that's why it's more difficult to "be kind" to those on the middle path with us -- our very similarity can put us at odds.

"If this person of sound mind, of similar age and circumstance, of comparable ability is able to b X and believe Y, what does this mean about my ability to be A and believe B?" Sometimes we end up in a dynamic of defense-offense with the other people walking the long middle. Defending our unique selves and perceiving their equitable yet clearly different selves as an automatic "attack" on that uniqueness.

Does that make sense? Who knows! Your piece inspired me to think and consider, and for that I thank you :)