How have I come to this point in my existence as a commercial diver, and an entrepreneur who volunteers often?

Well, where to start this story? I suppose I should start with an introduction:

My name is Nathan Jensen. I am a Commercial Diver who graduated from Diver's Institute of Technology over a decade ago (Class Vice President of 111-10). I have been working underwater for quite a few years and have learned a lot of valuable life lessons as well as developing a bit of a reputation in a very niche industry. Commercial Diving (not Scuba Diving... yes there is a HUGE difference!) is a highly skilled trade that requires a ton of technical expertise and experience. My career path thus far has afforded me a ton of moments that have literally devastated me, both physically and emotionally.

Fortunately, I am not deceased (obviously)... I have sustained a lot of physical injury over the course of time. Even worse than the physical pain that comes from these moments is the lingering emotional trauma. I am not proud of this fact, but I have buried a lot of individuals whom I used to call friend/co-worker. It is my belief that for most of us who have managed to work underwater for any serious duration of time (I'm talking 5+ years at least) you're bound to come across some very extreme sets of circumstances.

Speaking for myself, I had thought that I could manage and mitigate the emotional scars from these experiences. I used to be able to lay in my bunk aboard any of the sea-going vessels that I've been lucky enough to be on and meditate on nothingness to cope with these overwhelming memories. I'm obviously not a qualified psychiatrist, nor do I desire to seek one out. I have always been one to face the pains of life face first! I am not one to shy away from any kind of conflict. I am not exactly inviting these fights into my life either. After a while, I've come to realize that all of these emotions are ALL valid.

As I peer through my window here in Washington state, I can honestly say that the contrast in colors, materials, and life that surrounds us all is astonishing when you truly contemplate them all. Life is such an interesting series of events. I know with absolute certainty that I am blessed to be alive and breathing. For these undeniable facts, I am forever grateful.

It is my intention to continue my pursuit of evolution as a human being. I have started to take my mental and physical health quite seriously. This time last year, I was dealing with the emotional trauma of being dumped by a woman whom I had spent the previous four years of my life trying to create a relationship that I had believed would last for the rest of our days together. As with most couples, the dynamics of that particular enterprise found itself stagnating and going to a very dark place. Looking back in hindsight, I am very thankful that she chose to break up that relationship. Yes, it still stings me just to think about her and I. I'm not one to place blame on either of us as to why that relationship ended. It just did. So, I'm finally in a much better headspace to prepare myself for what lies on the horizon.

My diving career has taught me so much... yet, I find myself still learning more and more each and every single day! I find that learning is arguably what has kept me so youthful at heart. I look, listen, read, and feel out all that life has to offer. These days, I'm not as involved in the underwater construction/salvage industries that I used to be so actively involved in as a commercial diver. In a way, I've kind of gone back to the basics. I've been doing much more carpentry, and construction work as of late to pay the bills and such. I am, however, proud to announce that I have been developing a few ideas as an entrepreneur to create a new business venture. I'm calling it Proteus Underwater Solutions. I'm still developing the business plan/strategy/funding/website/etc... So, stay tuned on that front. Now back to the Title of this story...

So, what got me so triggered to write this story? Well, it's both simple and complicated simultaneously. I volunteer as a Search and Rescue Diver/Trainer for Mason County. I have done this for a few years now and am very proud of this group. They are both an underfunded, and often times underappreciated group of professionals who choose to volunteer their time and energy. On one of my most recent dives I was tasked to attempt to search for a drowning victim. I've done this a few times, and it's just something that I am able and willing to do. It's not a paid thing, and I don't want you to think that I need nor desire a pat on the back. I do these things because I can. It is within my capability to do these things. It is within the capabilities of so many other extraordinary volunteers to do a lot of great work for the benefit of others. As long as there is need, we shall be there to do what must be done.

I recently volunteered with Washington Scuba Alliance, a non-profit organization that endeavors to promote scuba diving and environmental stewardship, as well as educational outreach with their collaborations all across Washington state. You can learn more about their amazing organization here. These kinds of environmental projects, clean-up work, volunteer activities need support. I'm not just thinking of monetary, but actual divers, and land-support volunteers who want to get involved. I am not getting any younger. I can only do so much as one individual... I hope that by demonstrating how to do these things to the next generation of divers and volunteers whom I will assist in training as time permits, that together we can definitely make a positive impact on these types of serious concerns.

Looking forward in the massive mountain ranges of my life, I have definitely climbed many mountains and hiked through various valleys... I have so many more mountains to surmount. I will never stop persevering throughout all of life. I have been busy for quite some time now, but I'm just getting warmed up! Imagine what the diving teams and I can achieve in a few years if we ever get resupplied and reinforced?

It's very easy to live your life in doubt and fear. It's easy to linger on the pain and lose focus on what truly matters in your life and the lives of those who have not yet come to this planet. We, as a society, are directly responsible for the planet and the world that we want to be a part of. I accept my responsibility as an individual citizen of this planet. I am a proud man, of a proud bloodline. I do not accept defeat. I do my very best to help out wherever I can, whenever I can, with whomever will allow me to offer them a hand up... not a hand-out! Together, we, as human beings are quite capable of a lot of possibilities. My only hope is that we do our best to learn more and more about each other in the sincerest, authentic, genuinely engaging way. I am no wise man. I am no psychologist. I am just a man. I am an aging fool who is trying to understand the ways of business, and how to try to create something from nothing that will create meaning for not just my immediate benefit, but for the generations that have yet to be born. My name is Nathan Jensen. I have taken but a few moments in time to try to inspire your thoughts and imagination. I pray that you can somehow inspire others in your community, wherever you are. For now, I honestly just hope that you can become a beacon of hope. Grow stronger in character and show others that it is not just acceptable to be open and honest, but it is a vital imperative for us all to have the good grace to forgive each other of our sins and thoughts. Otherwise, we as a planet, can only find negativity... That will not bode well for all of us!