The first link for both of us

"Pause you who read this, and think for a moment of the long chain of iron or gold, of thorns or flowers, that would never have bound you, but for the formation of the first link on one memorable day." 

Reading this quote more times than I can count, my opinion is that there is always that one day/event that alters or changes you in such a way, that from then on you are held in that direction.  That because of that one day a link is started that can never be broken…"bound you" from then on.  For Pip, that day was when he met Estella at Miss Havisham's Iron Gate.  Before this day Pip was surrounded by people of his own class.  His view of the world seemed to be the only view that he had.  When he went to Miss Havisham's, he saw all the jewels and gems and realized that he was just "common".  He no-longer had a romantic view of the world.  He no-longer had a childish view, but his ambitions changed.  He strived to become both "un-common" and a gentlemen for Estella. In my opinion, Pip went from a oblivious little boy to being hit with reality.  These changes weren't really positive or negative.  I think that most of us see it as negative because your connection with Pip's character is with a sweet little boy. When he grows older he grows out of his cuteness.  When he grows up he seems to lose a lot of his innocence and dreams that I think we all love.  

The one day that was my first link was my 8th grade camp experience.  At the end of the year all the 8th graders went to a retreat...more like a bonding experience.  It was a ton of fun and it opened my eyes to the reality that things that you love have to come to an end, but there is always another door opening.  That through thick and thin your friends or family are always going to be there for you.   

"I had believed in the best parlour as a most elegant saloon; I had believed in the front door as a mysterious portal of the Temple of State whose solemn opening was attached with sacrifice of roast flowls; I had beieved in the kitchen as a chaste through not magnificent appartment; I had believed in the forge as the glowing road to manhood and independence.  Within a single year all this had changed"  (Chapter 14, 106)