I don't know exactly what I want to say here, but the Silence thread kind of had me thinking about this in part because it brought up the topic of monastic living.
Obviously I am not living a monastic or consecrated religious life, married as I am with four kids, but my family is affiliated with a Franciscan Friary, an old friend from high school is a Benedictine Monk and a lifelong friend of mine (Baby T's Godfather) is about halfway through his formation to become a Jesuit priest, so I've had a lot of exposure to that kind of environment.
I have been thinking about what I find attractive about it and I think its the way they approach their work and daily tasks with such intention, making work a form of prayer and meditation. I view work in much the same way. Making dinner, for example, is an opportunity to express love for my family, to be thankful for the gifts I have been given, to facilitate conversations and connections, to nourish the bodies and spirits of those I love and to offer it all in prayer to the God who made it possible. It makes the task much more pleasant and meaningful and connects me more fully to my work and those who benefit from it.
I know that other traditions and faiths also value the sacred in the everyday and I would love to hear your experiences of this.