ST. LOUIS • A Buddhist priest decided Wednesday to help bring healing to a city neighborhood stunned by the election results.

For several hours, Tom Bradshaw stood at the corner of Shaw Boulevard and Klemm Street with a sign offering free hugs to passersby in the left-leaning neighborhood upset by the victory of Republican Donald Trump in the presidential election.

"My wife and I were scared because of the election results," Bradshaw said. "But I realized I can do something. It may not be big, but it's something."

A Buddhist priest since March, Bradshaw said some people's reactions to the election outcome reminds him not to fixate on negative thoughts.

For him that means sometimes focusing on the tasks of the day such as washing dishes. "That way we're attending to what needs to be done," he said.

A lot of people waved from their cars driving by and others honked their car horns. But some people took him up on his offer for a hug with enthusiasm.

"Getting a hug from him was on my to-do list this morning," said Crystal Merritt, who parked her car and crossed the street to receive a hug from Bradshaw.