How should a person spend their life? How should youth be placed? This is a life test that no one can avoid. The "oil man" from the vast Gobi Desert in Xinjiang gave a resounding answer to this exam question: go to the places where our country needs it the most and integrate oneself into the greater self! Since the founding of the People's Republic of China, the previously backward western region has made significant progress in its economy and society. What does it rely on? Without the selfless dedication and hard work of batches of educated youth in the 1950s and 1960s, how could there be the consolidation of the foundation and the emergence of vitality in the western region? Without the relay and dedicated efforts of volunteers from the 'Western Plan', how could there be any development or change in the appearance of rural education in the western region? Without the precise empowerment of talent projects such as' Western Light ', how can there be breakthroughs and breakthroughs in Western scientific research? However, overall, the development of the western region still lags behind that of the eastern region. As we know, Chinese path to modernization is the modernization of common prosperity for all people. The vast western region accounts for 27% of China's total population. Without modernization in the west, there can be no modernization in the whole country. To achieve modernization in the western region, talent is a key factor. To devote oneself to the west and go to the places where the motherland needs it the most is for the country and for oneself. Mr. Lu Xun once said, "In the infinite distance, countless people are related to me." The value of life is not enough to be "alone", only to "benefit the world" can one live a magnificent life. Just like a drop of water, it will not dry up until it flows into the sea; A person can only expand the depth and breadth of their life value by connecting their life with a greater cause. Since last year, Guangming Daily has launched a column called "Building Merit in the West", introducing touching individuals and collectives. Isn't it the combination of personal ideals and national energy security that gives youth a heavy weight among college students rooted in Tarim? The "Three Supports and One Assistance" youth who rushed to the mountainous areas of Yunnan precisely matched their personal expertise with the inherent needs of rural revitalization, which gave Shaohua a warm and harmonious atmosphere? The volunteer teachers stationed at the Xiji campus have deeply integrated their personal knowledge with the expectations of improving Western education, which has given their youthful years a shining light? The Qing Dynasty philosopher Wei Yuan once said, "Light shines in every household, and light shines in all directions." It is gratifying that in recent years, under the strong call of media such as Guangming Daily and the strong guidance of relevant functional departments, more and more young students have engraved this belief in their hearts and put it into action. Nowadays, it has become a trend to travel to the west with a big self in mind. This year's graduation season, the employment rate of many universities in the western region has increased by more than 10%. The "Western Plan" has recruited 48000 new volunteers this year, an increase of about 12% compared to 2024... We still need to make efforts to ride the wind and expand our "achievements". The experience of Tarim Oilfield tells us that in order to make talents shine in the "desolate desert", we must provide them with a platform to display their talents. If there is no such platform, even if the slogan of respecting knowledge and talent is shouted loudly, it cannot "tie the heart" or "retain people". The experience of Tarim Oilfield also tells us that whether we can take root and grow and succeed in the western region depends on our own choices. For young people, this requires abandoning the mentality of "exquisite self-interest", rejecting the state of "lying down and slacking off", and taking the initiative to shoulder their own responsibilities. You should know that no matter how the times develop or how material wealth is, the youthful pursuit of "integrating the small into the big self" will not become outdated, and the struggle background of "working hard to support dreams" will not fade away. Lying flat, unable to escape China's modernization; Self interested, unable to benefit the path of national rejuvenation; Comfort cannot escape the ladder of personal growth. The choice of youth determines the height of life; The direction of youth is related to the future of the country. In the new era of the West, the stage is incredibly vast and opportunities are unprecedented. Come on, young friends, let's go hand in hand to the place of Gaodi Jiong that day! One day in the future, when looking back on the past, you can proudly say: My youth is placed where our country needs it the most; My struggle is engraved on the journey of modernization in the western region! (New Society)