Is there a way to temporarilly "turn off" empathic abilities?

You are not an island nor are you the worlds shoulders. Accept live and things that happen as just ad hoc random events that you cannot control or be responsible for. Go easy, find space, quiteness and think about what makes you happy. Then clear the mind, dont dwell and go do it!!

In order to embrace a positive future and happiness one has to not dwell in the well of the past or what as gone by in order to fully embrace the future and properly appreciate empathy.

Small problem here with the whole world is not your burden poo, First and foremeost understand that telempathy is something that generally cannot be turned off. There is no voluntary choosing on what you pick up and what you don't. And some encounters are more potent than others.

It affects you, whether you want it too or not. From time to time I channel it back to the sender and watch em squirm.......I so dispise people. So much disdain this gift creates. So many shallow people with self dilluted thoughts of superficiality, arrogance, and selfishness.

It is my hope that God smites the world very soon.