Chapter 22
Meeting Herbert Pocket

Sometimes the person who could become your greatest ally is someone you've already written off. Pip discovers this when Herbert Pocket—the boy he once fought—becomes his warmest welcome to London. Instead of nursing old grudges, Herbert laughs about their past scuffle and immediately begins helping Pip navigate his new world. This reveals a crucial pattern: we often find our most valuable relationships in unexpected places, with people we initially dismissed or even opposed. The mechanism here is simple but powerful. When we approach past conflicts with curiosity instead of defensiveness, we create space for genuine connection. Herbert doesn't pretend their fight never happened—he acknowledges it, laughs about it, then moves forward. He sees Pip not as an enemy but as someone who, like him, was just trying to figure things out. This openness allows him to become Pip's informal mentor, teaching table manners and sharing crucial backstory about Miss Havisham. This pattern shows up everywhere in modern life. The coworker who challenged your idea in a meeting might become your strongest collaborator if you approach them with genuine interest in their perspective. The neighbor you had that property line dispute with could become the person who watches your kids in emergencies. In healthcare, the family member who questioned your treatment decisions might become your most dedicated advocate once you explain your reasoning. The classmate who seemed standoffish might just be shy and could become a lifelong friend. When you recognize this pattern, resist the urge to write people off after one negative interaction. Instead, approach conflicts with curiosity: What were they trying to protect? What did they need that they weren't getting? Give people space to surprise you. Sometimes a simple acknowledgment of past tension—'Hey, I know we got off on the wrong foot'—opens the door to unexpected partnership. When you can spot potential allies hiding behind past conflicts, you multiply your resources for navigating life's challenges. That's amplified intelligence in action.