Me Tarzan, Me Defensive: The Walls We Build
Me Tarzan, Me Defensive: The Walls We Build (Tarzan & Jane Story Series: Part 11 of 16)
Me Tarzan, Me Defensive: The Walls We Build
It had taken Jane courage to speak. She’d been holding her hurt for months, maybe years. Finally, she found the words to tell Tarzan how invisible she felt.
She didn’t expect perfection. She didn’t even expect an instant fix. All she wanted was to be heard.
But instead of listening, Tarzan built a wall.
“I didn’t mean it that way.”
“You’re overreacting.”
“Other people would love to have what you have.”
Each phrase was a brick, stacked one on top of the other. Tarzan thought he was protecting himself, but all Jane felt was distance.
“Me Tarzan, Me Defensive.” It could almost be funny if it weren’t so devastating.
Because defensiveness doesn’t protect—it prevents. It keeps storms from being discussed, but it also keeps love from flowing. Jane’s words bounced back like echoes in a canyon. And with each attempt shut down, her desire to try again grew smaller.
This is how many marriages falter. Not from cruelty, but from defensiveness. From the instinct to explain instead of empathize. From the habit of reacting instead of listening.
But here’s the truth:
Defensiveness says, “I want to win.” Vulnerability says, “I want us to win.”
Defensiveness shuts down conversation. Curiosity opens it up.
Walls don’t keep storms out—they only keep your spouse out.
If Tarzan could learn to pause, breathe, and simply say, “Tell me more. I want to understand,” the wall could come down.
Because in the end, Jane didn’t want Tarzan to be perfect. She wanted him to be present.
And marriage? It’s not about avoiding conflict. It’s about learning to face it—together, without walls.
Reflection / Takeaway:
Defensiveness feels like protection, but it actually blocks intimacy. True strength isn’t in defending yourself — it’s in laying down your guard long enough to truly hear.
Call-to-Action:
💬 The next time your partner speaks their truth, pause before you respond. Ask yourself: Am I building a wall, or a bridge?
Jungle Laugh: “Tarzan thought defense wins championships… but in marriage, it just wins arguments nobody wanted!” 🐒😂
🔗 Navigation:
← Part 10 Me Jane, Me Doubting: Am I Enough?
→ Part 12 Me Tarzan, Me Distant: The Jungle Between Us