Two years ago, I began "the pebble" with the vision of spreading ripples of good across the world. Now more than ever, I believe in this purpose. We need more kindness and connection. 

In honor of the anniversary, I would share some of these early videos. I still believe in this mission and the overall mission of StarTraci:

Choose Yourself. Be Visible. Make Ripples.

Here's where it all started:

Where It All Began: The Story Behind The Pebble

Two years ago, I launched "the pebble" with a simple vision: to spread ripples of good across the world. Today, that vision feels more important than ever. We need more kindness. We need more connection.

As I mark this anniversary, I want to share the story of how this all started and why I'm still committed to the mission of StarTraci: Choose Yourself. Be Visible. Make Ripples.

Not Instagram Perfect

Let me be clear from the start—this isn't a fancy space, and I'm not Instagram perfect. I won't always be made up to perfection or perfectly spoken. I'm going to make mistakes. But I'm going to do my best to be the person I'm supposed to be, and I hope you'll join me on that journey. Together, we really can turn the tide on negativity.

The Journey Here

Every success and every failure has brought me to this moment. Most of my life until age 38 was consumed by one dream: being an actress. I pursued it relentlessly—through high school, college, a master's-level acting program, and then in New York. Then 9/11 happened, and everything changed. That became a stopping point, and for a very long time, I mourned what had ended.

At 38, I started blogging (my first blog was called "38 and Growing"—hence why I make a big point of that age). It introduced me to an entirely different way of looking at life. I started seeing that maybe failure wasn't the end-all be-all. I discovered beauty in little things and found joy there. I didn't know it at the time, but I was building the beginnings of what would become The Pebble.

Later, I became a star in my own universe—thus "Star Traci." If you've known me online, that's probably how you see me. Some people have asked why I'm not calling this "The Star Show" or building everything around shining brightly. Here's why: this is for everyone. I'll still be Star Traci and continue those projects, but The Pebble is something more universal.

Why a Pebble?

The pebble is a double metaphor (and yes, I know it might be mixed—I don't pretend to be a philosopher).

Pebbles get smooth by being washed through water. They've been through hardening effects, maybe gone through heat—trial by fire—or been run through the wringer. There are so many metaphors here that relate to people who've had maybe not the easiest of lives. I think all of us go through some trials, and we can all relate to how a pebble got there.

But here's what matters: pebbles are enduring. You can carry one in your pocket. Maybe you don't feel like a star some days. Maybe you don't want to shine brightly on those rough days. But a pebble? A pebble is enduring. Once they've gotten down to that size, they're hard—they're not going to break easily. You can carry it with you knowing it's sticking around.

Building Together

My pebble philosophy is about building up together as a group. And here's your caveat, your warning: I'm a dork, and I am corny. For many years I tried to hide these things, thinking I'd grow into some Hitchcockian smooth, cool, sleek blonde. Instead, I've stayed the kind of dorky, cheery, cute blonde—just not smooth or sleek. I cry over everything (I just recently watched Wakanda Forever and cried before the credits were finished). I love anything that makes me feel all gooey inside.

If you're put off by corn, take what matters to you and hold me off where it's too much. But here's my message:

If we all threw pebble positivity into the sea, we could turn the tide of negativity.

Yes, it's corny. Please don't tell me about mixed metaphors or the logic of tides.

We're Not Outnumbered

I believe most people are good. When we meet people face to face—our family, friends, neighbors—we don't think they're awful. We hear stories all the time about somebody doing something good for someone. But on social media or in larger media, we're made to feel like everything is so wrong.

They can't both be right. I don't think it's mostly wrong. I think most people want the world to be better, but they feel outnumbered. They think they're just a little pebble, and a little pebble can't do anything.

But together they can.

Your Five Dollars Matters

I grew up loving the MDA telethons on Labor Day weekend. I loved watching the turn of the money coming in. They were dependent mostly on people sending five, ten, fifteen dollars. Jerry Lewis would stay up 24 hours and say, "I need you to send in your five dollars. We can't do it without you."

We weren't a wealthy family, but we'd send in our $25. I would wait after my dad called for our name to run across the local ticker. It meant so much to me. I'd be excited for the next flip because I felt personally responsible for it.

That's what I want you to feel as part of The Pebble—that we can start doing things to make the world better.

It Starts With You

But it starts with making you feel better. You are here on Earth to be something. You don't just have a right to be here—you're supposed to be here. The more you feel empowered as the best person you can be, the closer you are to that purpose. When you're putting out positivity, you're making the world better. I one hundred percent believe that.

We're going to talk about lots of things—it's not all going to be this big, I promise. I love thrifting, fashion, and books. But I also want to talk about faith, coping with death and getting beyond that, eating better, fitness—you name it. If it makes your life and, therefore, the world a little bit better, I want to talk about it.

So join me. Let's be imperfect together. Let's be pebbles together.

And together, let's turn the tide.