Finding the personal and how it impacts generations ahead of us seems to be a common theme in resolving conflicts and making wise decisions. Keeps reminding me of the lesson from India “think of 7 generations” and the impact you will have.
The art of untangling conflict: a lesson from peacemaker Jimmy Carter | Conflict Zen
The negotiations at Camp David had broken down and it appeared Begin and Sadat would return home with no agreement. On Day 13, Carter relates,“Earlier, my secretary, Susan Clough, had brought me some photographs of Begin, Sadat, and me. They had already been signed by President Sadat, and Prime Minister Begin had requested that I autograph them for his grandchildren. Knowing the trouble we were in with the Israelis, Susan suggested that she go and get the actual names of the grandchildren, so that I could personalize each picture. I did this, and walked over to Begin’s cabin with them. He was sitting on the front porch, very distraught and nervous because the talks had finally broken down at the last minute.
“I handed him the photographs. He took them and thanked me. Then he happened to look down and saw that his granddaughter’s name was on the top one. He spoke it aloud, and then looked at each photograph individually, repeating the name of the grandchild I had written on it. His lips trembled, and tears welled up in his eyes. He told me a little about each child, and especially about the one who seemed to be his favorite. We were both emotional as we talked quietly for a few minutes about grandchildren and about war.”
Both Begin’s and Sadat’s negotiating teams returned to the table.
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