Too many individuals and groups are known today for what they are against. Some prefer it that way.

They want to be known as the ones who were against a particular politician or political party, or against a certain movement or trend.

I have been in those camps before, no doubt, but that’s not who I am anymore. I’d rather be known for what I am for, rather than what I’m against.

So I’d like to share a few of those things with you.

I’m for bunnies, puppies and kittens. Not just those, really, but all animals. I love them.

I get excited when I see squirrels running across the yard, or a dog wagging its tail in greeting or even a self-absorbed cat that deigns to give you a moment of its time. Animals are wonderful.

I also love to eat animals. Not the puppies and kittens, of course, but the standard meat fare. Protein is good for you and I like it.

So could I play with a calf, knowing that one day it will be steaks for my family? Sure.

I’m sorry if that offends or bothers you, but I’m perfectly OK with it.

I’m for music. When people ask me what kinds of music I like, I can honestly answer that I like a little bit of almost everything. I truly do.

My preferences are a bit narrower, however. I prefer Christian music, blues, heavy metal, sweeping epic classical music, bluegrass and pretty much anything guitar-driven. I know that’s pretty eclectic, but I said as much to start with.

I’m for the written word and the freedom to express yourself in what you write and say. Even if I don’t agree with you, I’m in support of your freedom to say what you believe. I’m in support of my own freedom to say what I believe, too.

The privilege of being able to write down what you think and share it with others is just that — a privilege. I’m not really concerned if anyone else agrees with me. It truly doesn’t bother me.

As I’ve told many of my friends and acquaintances, I don’t agree 100 percent on every topic with any other human being, including those whom I hold in highest regard and afford the most respect. Even including myself, at times. I admit I’m wrong and I change my mind and I move on.

If I don’t fully agree with others on every single topic, why should I be offended if someone doesn’t agree with me on everything? We disagree. Move on.

I am for the family. I am an adult and I realize that not every family contains the same dynamics. Not every one of us was raised by our biological mother and father, had 1.5 siblings, et cetera, et cetera. I also know that my family consists of some that have no biological relation to me whatsoever, but whom I nonetheless claim.

When I think of my family, I think of my wife, our five children (each of which can only claim one of us as biological parent), my daughter-in-law, my father and mother, my siblings and their spouses and children, my nieces and nephews, and so on. I also think of my closest friends — whom I will refrain from naming, since there are a lot I would add in this category — with whom I share all the things that matter as family, except a genealogical connection.

And I am for God. Let me be specific, so this cannot be misunderstood — I am for Yahweh, the God of the Old Testament and the New, known as Father and Creator. I am for his son Jesus the Christ — God the Son — who is my Savior, and his Holy Spirit — God the Spirit. I am a follower of Christ and I want this to be evident in all that I do.

So I thank God for the animals he created. I thank him for music with which I can praise him and celebrate the life he’s given me. I thank him for the freedom to speak and write my beliefs. I thank him for my family.

I thank him for this wonderful, colorful life. That, my friends, is what I am for. What are you for?

Brett Campbell can be reached at brett.campbell@dailyleader.com or 601-265-5307.