On average, individuals dedicate approximately 148 minutes each day to social media. This significant amount of time is often consumed by amusing cat videos, strangers showing their makeup techniques, and targeted advertisements. However, what if this time spent scrolling could have a more meaningful purpose? This thought inspired the creation of WishWell, an app developed by chiropractor Dr. Scott Levine and Leena Wilde, aiming to redirect our focus toward fulfilling the wishes of others.
A profound connection
A significant source of inspiration for this app stems from the romantic relationship between Levine and Wilde. They met through a mutual friend who recognized their shared passions: Wilde was hosting a podcast centered on motherhood and spirituality, while Levine was practicing chiropractic care emphasizing energetic healing.
Little did they realize how their lives would change dramatically after their introduction. With Levine residing in Toronto and Wilde in New Jersey, the pair decided to meet at a winery equidistant from their locations after a month of phone conversations. Despite a snowstorm impacting the East Coast, they both arrived, and the moment they embraced in the parking lot, they knew they were destined to be together.
After one international relocation and substantial logistical planning, the couple recently marked their first wedding anniversary and affectionately refer to each other as “wholemates,” symbolizing the idea of two bodies sharing one soul. During a virtual conversation from their home in Toronto, where they live with their three children from previous relationships, their deep affection for one another is unmistakable.
Both Levine and Wilde express that their bond has empowered them to evolve into better versions of themselves collectively and to experience unconditional love while addressing past emotional challenges. Now, they aspire to channel their love into creating positive change in the world.
The Impact of Attention
One method they are implementing this mission is through the reintroduction of WishWell, which was initially launched in 2020. Essentially, the app aims to unite a global network of well-wishers, directing their attention toward one another rather than into the hands of advertisers and social media platforms.
Users can articulate a public wish concerning any heartfelt desire. Simultaneously, they can support other users’ wishes through brief meditations and audio blessings. WishWell Village emphasizes “crowdfocus” instead of crowdfunding, harnessing the most valuable asset we all share: our attention. According to Wilde and Levine, everyone possesses this in equal measure, unlike financial resources.
Wilde, who developed the latest iteration of the app’s website, emphasizes that scientific findings back the capacity of our minds to influence our realities. “It’s often said that where our attention is directed, our energy follows,” she notes. “We often overlook that our chosen focus plays a crucial role in shaping our reality.”
“We frequently surrender our attention to social networks, which leads to a devaluation of it,” explains Levine. He points out that redirecting our focus toward others’ needs not only reclaims our personal control but also offers physiological advantages. Research shows that acts of giving trigger the release of pleasurable chemicals like dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin, elevating our mood and fostering a sense of connection with others.
Creating Positive Change
According to Levine and Wilde, the app has already produced positive results: individuals wishing for family members to recover or improve their situations have reported swift changes. They also share that even when a wish does not materialize, the platform still makes a significant impact. For instance, a woman facing terminal cancer expressed that the global support she felt through the app made her journey feel less isolating.
The overarching objective of WishWell is straightforward: to spread love throughout the world. For Levine and Wilde, this journey begins at home, where they collaborate on WishWell side by side. “As long as we are creating together as ‘wholemates’,” Levine asserts, “we are infusing our love into everything we produce—and if we create from a place of love, we can truly positively impact the world.”
