Many people make resolutions for the New Year or, if they don't, at least find themself taking stock. Often that stock taking involves analysing what we think is wrong about ourselves and wishing - if not actually resolving - to be different. Here's another approach:

In over a dozen years as a stress consultant, one of the most pervasive and destructive mental tendencies I've seen is that of focusing on what we want instead of what we have. It doesn't seem to make any difference how much we have; we just keep expanding our list of desires, which guarantees we will remain dissatisfied. The mind-set that says "I'll be happy when this desire is fulfilled" is the same mind-set that will repeat itself once that desire is met.

-- Richard Carlson

So, if you're doing some stock-taking now as the New Year approaches, do look at what you like about yourself and your life as well as considering what you think needs to be changed. I imagine that will create a really helpful perspective. Remember, the primary meditative principles are those of acceptance and compassion. Accepting ourselves and having compassion on ourselves are essential to living out said principles.