Reinhardt Rading

Reinhardt Rading

I specialize in Distributed Acoustic Sensing, developing methods to use telecommunication fibers as dense seismic arrays. I'm exploring the capability of DAS to monitor environmental signals & its role in mitigating Newtonian noise for current & future gravitational wave detectors like LIGO and Einstein Telescope.

Mastering Emotions Through Stoicism

3 minute read

Published:

As human beings, we are deeply emotional. Our emotions are not flaws—they are proof that we are alive, connected, and aware. Unless we are entirely detached or suffering from conditions that strip away empathy, emotions are central to our human experience.

Life presents us with a vast spectrum of feelings. Some lift us up: the birth of a child, a wedding, a first job, graduation, a journey abroad, or falling in love. Others weigh us down: the death of a loved one, heartbreak, failure, or job loss. These highs and lows are the natural rhythm of life.

The real challenge comes when emotions—especially negative ones—begin to control us. If left unchecked, they shape our actions, cloud our thoughts, and darken our worldview, leaving us vulnerable to despair, anxiety, and even depression. Stoicism, combined with practical tools I’ve used in high-stress environments (including with military personnel), offers a way forward.

Step 1: Pause, Breathe, Count

When struck by a wave of emotion—an insulting email, bad health news, or even being fired—don’t react at once.

Pause. Inhale deeply. Count backwards from 15 to 1, breathing steadily with each number.

This simple act grounds you in the present and prevents your mind from spiraling. For example, if a colleague criticizes you harshly, resist firing off an angry reply. Do the breathing exercise first. Then, when calm, respond with composure. By doing so, you maintain control over yourself and set the tone for mutual respect.

Step 2: Remember—Your Brain Can Deceive You

Our brains are powerful, but not always truthful. When tragedy strikes—like a friend’s terminal illness—our instinct is grief, and that is natural. It shows empathy.

But Stoicism teaches us that events are not inherently good or bad; it is our perception that shapes them. What first appears as tragedy may later reveal hidden value: wisdom, resilience, or the ability to guide others through similar trials.

Step 3: Don’t Let Emotions Rule Your Life

Negative emotions, if allowed to linger, can give rise to depression. Accepting them is part of being human—but we must not be enslaved by them.

Remind yourself: This is temporary. This too shall pass. Live in the present moment.

If you are religious, see your departed loved ones as resting in peace, watched over by a higher power. If not, take comfort in knowing they are free from suffering, now part of the universe in a greater sense. Choose the perspective that consoles rather than consumes.

Why Emotional Mastery Matters

In today’s world of uncertainty, stress, and constant change, mastering emotions is not optional—it is essential. Whether facing illness, death, war, or personal setbacks, emotional mastery sharpens focus, strengthens resilience, and nurtures peace of mind.

It does not mean we feel no pain. It means pain does not define us.

Final Reflection

If you want to go deeper, read Meditations by Marcus Aurelius—a timeless reminder to live with dignity, strength, and purpose, even in adversity.

Remember: You are not your emotions. You have them. They need not have you.

Stay calm. Stay grounded. Stay human.

You May Also Enjoy

On Death and Its Nature

2 minute read

Published:

Take a deep breath. Imagine yourself watching an engrossing film, whether in a theater or at home. Hours pass, the story unfolds, and eventually the screen fades to black. Just as every show must end, so too must our lives. The difference is that, unlike a film, the timing of our ending is unknown—it could come today, tomorrow, years, or decades from now.

Notes to Myself: Practicing Stoicism

1 minute read

Published:

These are the reflections I’ve gathered, visualized, and written down as I practice Stoicism. They echo the reminders in Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations—guides on how to remain aligned with the Stoic path.

  • In a hundred years, I will be gone, forgotten. Those who remember me will also vanish. Like grains of Sahara sand swept away by the wind, my brief life will dissolve into nothing.
  • Whatever happens to me has already been set in motion by nature. It is manageable.
  • Plato died. Pythagoras died. Socrates died. Marcus Aurelius died. All of them went the same way, and so will I.
  • If someone hates me—that is their burden. If someone is racist—that is their problem, not mine.
  • Death is always near. Why then do I not live in the present?
  • I cannot control much: my health, my friends’ laughter at my expense, the judgments of others. None of it matters. What I can control is my mind.
  • With age, I will weaken. I will fall ill. My teeth will no longer crush food as they once did. I have no command over what logos has decided for me. Yet even Marcus, when sick, continued his duties.
  • Death is not evil—it is like sleep. Sleep, cousin to death, is dreamless and silent. Do I fear it? Even if it is terrible, should I not still long to dine with the gods?
  • Before acting, I should ask: Is this necessary?
  • When speaking, I should speak less than is necessary.