code: def load_config(self, settings=None):
          
          self._load_defaults()
          if settings:
              self.update(settings)
          else:
              config_paths = _get_config_files()
              for p in config_paths:
                  conf = _process_config_file([p])
                  self.update(conf)
          self._loaded = True
          self._validate()
docs: Load the configuration either from the config file, or from the given settings.
  
          Args:
              settings (dict): If given, the settings are pulled from this dictionary. Otherwise, the
                  config file is used.