I believe the word you are looking for is "resolution". I wish that I could bring some people and things back to life, but alas nothing will ever bring back Elvis... and swing-dancing can't be brought back by a man who doesn't know how to do it.
As for my New Year's resolution, I don't have one due to the simple fact that I find it to be pointless to have a New Year's resolution when I will probably never keep it. If you don't have a New Year's resolution then you don't have anything to regret when you can't or don't keep it and the next new year starts. Anyway, shouldn't you just make it your mission to live every day like it is your last to begin with?