Can Presence Transform the World?
On average, individuals dedicate approximately 148 minutes of their day to social media platforms. This time is often consumed by amusing cat videos, makeup tutorials from strangers, and curated advertisements. However, what if that scrolling could instead be transformed into a productive endeavor? This concept is brought to life by WishWell, an app developed by Dr. Scott Levine, a chiropractic specialist, and Leena Wilde. They aim to redirect our focus towards fulfilling the wishes of others.
A Profound Connection
The creation of WishWell was significantly inspired by the personal relationship between Levine and Wilde. They were introduced through a mutual acquaintance who identified their shared passions: Wilde’s podcast on motherhood and spirituality complemented Levine’s chiropractic work utilizing energetic frequencies aimed at holistic wellness.
Unbeknownst to them, their lives were set on a transformative path. After a month of phone conversations—Levine in Toronto and Wilde in New Jersey—they decided to meet halfway at a winery. Despite a snowstorm battering the East Coast, both made it, and upon their embrace in the parking lot, they instinctively knew they were destined for each other.
Following a significant international relocation and numerous logistical challenges, the couple recently marked their first wedding anniversary, embracing the idea of being “wholemates,” which they define as two bodies sharing one soul. In an online conversation from their home in Toronto, where they live with their three children from previous relationships, their affection for one another is unmistakable.
The couple affirms that their relationship fosters their mutual growth, enabling them to become their best selves and share unconditional love while addressing past wounds. Their desire now is to channel this love towards positively impacting the world.
The Impact of Focus
One avenue through which Levine and Wilde are enacting this vision is by reviving WishWell (originally launched in 2020). The app aims to unite a worldwide community of supporters who concentrate their attention on lending each other support, diverting their focus from commercial interests and social media platforms.
Users can express public wishes for anything they desire, and simultaneously, they can uplift the aspirations of others through brief meditative practices and affirmations. WishWell Village focuses on “crowdfocus,” not crowdfunding, emphasizing the importance of human presence as our most valuable shared resource. According to Wilde and Levine, unlike money, everyone possesses this gift equally.
Wilde, who developed the latest iteration of the app’s website, cites scientific evidence supporting how our mindset can influence our realities. “There’s a saying that, where attention goes, energy flows,” she reveals. “We often overlook how crucial our focus is to shaping our life experiences.”
Levine adds, “Our society has become accustomed to mindlessly giving away our attention on social media, which diminishes its value.” He articulates that redirecting our focus to the needs of others restores our sense of agency while also delivering biochemical perks. Contributing positively to others releases neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin, which elevate our moods, foster pleasure, and deepen our connections to one another.
Fostering Positive Change
The couple shares that WishWell has already recorded various success stories, such as individuals wishing for the recovery of family members and witnessing swift improvements. They also emphasize that even when a wish isn’t realized, the community support through the app remains impactful; one woman battling cancer relayed that the knowledge of worldwide well-wishes helped her feel much less isolated during her struggle.
At its core, the app aims to spread love across the globe. For Levine and Wilde, this journey begins with their shared home life, where they often collaborate on WishWell. Levine remarks, “As long as we work in partnership as ‘wholemates,’ the love we pour into our projects becomes a gift to the wider world—creating from love ensures our offerings resonate perfectly with the world’s needs.”
