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We all need a spot of stillness here and there. And we probably all have an idea (maybe even a Pinterest board!) of our ideal peaceful places. I've always pictured mine as an atmospheric farm house in the French countryside, where steaming latte bowls magically appear on the rustic table, alongside jars of wildflowers. So I almost screamed when a neighbor told me recently he was headed to spend the summer at his in-laws' house in the French countryside. "It's not that great," he confessed. "Especially when my father-in-law has to drive me to the McDonald's 30 miles away to use to wi-fi." Huh. He might have a point. A moment of stillness sounds like tonic. Weeks of stillness might start to get, um, stagnant.

Besides, we don't actually need to do anything drastic like travel overseas or lose wi-fi just for a moment of stillness, as this interactive map proves.  Created by the Guggenheim Museum, this Still Spotting map allows users to upload their own peaceful places in that known mecca of tranquility, um, New York City. It's a useful tool for residents and tourists alike, compiling not only the expected parks and beaches but also quiet building lobbies, underpopulated coffee shops, and hidden green nooks. And it's a useful reminder, too -- no matter where you live, no matter how hustling-and-bustling your existence, you don't need a field full of sunflowers to experience a pause, a breath, a piece of peace. Where's your still spot? It might be under the bleachers at a Little League game. Just remember -- it's somewhere nearby, maybe somewhere completely unexpected, and it will be there waiting for you when you need it.

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