Hi Russ,

Yes, as I stated in one of my earlier posts to you that you may find it difficult to understand being the spacious awareness, as it can only be described by me but experienced only by you. You need not worry much about it. You will eventually experience what it is. Life is very intelligent. It knows what you need and at what time. If you already had friends you would be “enjoying” with them and would have never come to this site, to understand the various concepts and viewpoints of Life by various members. Only suffering leads to awakening.

“I would like on that remote the “time for friends” button to push when I choose to be with friends…understanding that the act of having friends does not define me or contributes solely to my fulfillment of happiness. Having the option on the remote would be nice.”

With wanting to have an extra button on the remote of life, see if you are placing a demand on any situation, person, place, or event. See to it if you are resisting to what already is. That truly does not mean that you should not strive to achieve friends. But there is a difference between preferences and requirements.
Preferences is based on detached expectation. If I get “this” I am fine, even if I don’t, I’m fine too. Thus it is less painful. Your inner state of mind is no longer dependent on any external situation. You are totally detached from the outcome.

Requirements on the other hand is based on attached expectation. You have an attachment and cling on to it. I want “this” no matter what. I feel painful if I don’t get or have it. And once you get it and if you lose that, you will again be in pain. Internal state of mind is always dependent on an external situation.

If having no friends is troubling you and if that is why you have posted here, then you are on the Requirements side and the below statement are only mere words and not true understanding.
“….understanding that the act of having friends does not define me or contributes solely to my fulfillment of happiness”

Realize if wanting a new button is an impossible demand on the manufacturer of the remote, because it has already been designed that way and delivered to your home. That will not mean that you should live with this remote forever. When you allow the “isness” of this moment to be as it is (by focusing more on being yourself, doing what you love), that is when things begin to change for the good and then a new television with a new additional button on the remote produced by a different manufacturer will land in your place, when you are least expecting it. And at that time it will be detached expectation because you are already enjoying life by doing the things you love, and whether or not having a new button may not bother you anymore.

Not sure if you took a look at the video that I suggested you. If not, please do so, as that will give you a glimpse on Acceptance, Surrender and Non-resistance.
Also please make notes of all that you liked on this thread from various members and put them into practice.

Take care,
VJ