Empath - how to block absorbing emotions?

First of all get your self centered. Then focus on the emotion and ask if it is yours. Since you know that this is not then put up the shield in your mind and command the emotion to return to whence it came. Then you put the shield around you completely so that you are protected from all outside . If you are not able to keep your shield up around this Friend then it might be in your best interest to distance your self for a time until you have reserved more strength and can resist these intrusions to your spirit.